Yuan Shikai (16 September 1859 – 6 June 1916) was a Chinese general, politician and Emperor, famous for his influence during the late Qing Dynasty, his role in the events leading up to the abdication of the
last Qing Emperor, his autocratic rule as the first formal
President of the
Republic of China, and his short-lived attempt to
restore monarchy in China, with himself as the
Hongxian Emperor .