Song Jiaoren (or Sung Chiao-jen) (1882–1913)

Chinese revolutionary and champion of parliamentary government. Song was the principal spokesperson of the Guomindang (nationalist party) in the elections of 1912, carrying out a vigorous western-style electioneering campaign which called for a figurehead presidency, a responsible cabinet system, and local autonomy. The Guomindang won the elections and Song was widely tipped to become prime minister. His programme, however, was a direct challenge to the hegemonic ambitions of the president, Yuan Shikai, and he was assassinated at Shanghai railway station by Yuan's henchmen.

Before 1911 Song was one of the leading members of Sun Yat-sen's revolutionary anti-Manchu organization, the Tongmenghui (T'ungmenghui, Alliance League), helping to set up a branch in central China. On the establishment of a republic in 1912, the Tongmenghui was transformed into the Guomindang.