After advanced studies in Japan and Europe, he taught at Hunan First Normal University, where he exerted considerable influence on Mao Zedong, Cai Hesen, Xiao Zisheng, and others, and then at Peking University.

He promoted democracy and supported Kang Youwei and Liang Qichao.

In 1909, Yang studied at the University of Aberdeen, majoring in philosophy and ethics.

His students included Mao Zedong, Cai Hesen and Deng Zhongxia.

Befriending Mao, professor Yang urged him to read a radical newspaper, New Youth (Xin qingnian), the creation of his friend Chen Duxiu, a dean at Peking University.