Yuan Shikai, born on September 16, 1859 in Xiangcheng County, Henan Province, and died on June 6, 1916, was a prominent politician and military figure in modern Chinese history. He served as the President for Life of the Republic of China, the first formal President of the Republic of China, and once declared himself the President for Life. Yuan Shikai played a crucial role in the political changes of the late Qing Dynasty and the early Republic of China, and was an important figure in the history of modern Chinese politics.