CUPL was initially established in 1952, with its official name Peking College of Political Science and Law and combined departments of law, political science, sociology and other subjects of Peking University, Yenching University, Fu Jen Catholic University and Tsinghua University. The prestigious scholar Ch'ien Tuan-Sheng (钱端升), who was educated at Harvard University and regarded as the founder of modern political science in China, was appointed as the first president. But after the outbreak of Cultural Revolution CUPL was greatly affected.