Emperor Qianlong was the sixth emperor of the Qing Dynasty in China, ruling from 1735 to 1796. He was known for his military campaigns, which expanded the empire's territory, and for promoting arts and culture. His reign is often considered a high point in Chinese history. Qianlong was also a patron of literature and initiated the compilation of the Siku Quanshu, one of the largest collections of books in Chinese history. He abdicated in 1796, passing the throne to his son, but continued to influence politics until his death in 1799.