Lien Heng (Chinese: 連橫; pinyin: Lián Héng; Wade–Giles: Lien2 Hêng2; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Liân Hêng; 1878–1936) was a Taiwanese historian, politician, poet, merchant, editor of a Tainan's local newspaper.

Some have claimed that he contributed to the creation and spread of a unified and strong Taiwanese cultural identity through his historical research and works of poetry.

[4] Lien gained an early interest in Chinese and Taiwanese culture and history from stories told him by his father and private tutors.

[11] Working as a journalist, Lien was exposed to the ideas of nationalism, and wrote articles and poems on his disillusionment with the Qing's backward policies and inaction.

Through his studies of mainland Chinese history and culture, Lien realized that the Taiwanese must also awaken in themselves a love for their own distinct heritage, language, and nationalism in order to withstand foreign oppression.

[15] With the help of fellow intellectuals, scholars, and writers such as Liang Qichao, Hung Hsu, and Lin Hsien-tang[16][failed verification] Lien gathered necessary primary sources.

[18] The scope of Lien's work was immense, covering subjects spanning from historic migrations of Han Chinese from the mainland to Taiwan, famous women of the island, the reign of Koxinga, pirates, and the common people.

[17] At the beginning and end of each section, Lien gives his own analysis and interpretation on the topic, modeling the style used by Sima Qian on his Records of the Grand Historian.

[20] After completion of the General History of Taiwan, Lien Heng continued to encourage Taiwanese nationalism through political activism, poetry, and journalism.