沈桂芬是一个在晚清政治史上有重要影响的人物。他曾为解决旗民生计问题献言献策;担任山西巡抚期间,他严禁烟毒,整顿军队;行走军机后,在清王朝的内政外交活动中发挥重要作用,继文祥之后,成为总理衙门当家大臣。因错用崇厚,致丛众谤;又因在琉球问题上对日妥协而倍受争议。目前学术界对于沈氏的研究与其历史地位极不相称,有进一步详细考察的必要。 Shen Guifen is a figure who has an important influence in the political history of the late Qing Dynasty. He served as a solicitor for solving the problem of the livelihood of the people of the Qing Dynasty. During his tenure as governor of Shanxi, he was strictly prohibited from using narcotics drugs and reorganizing the army. After the military operation, he played an important role in the internal affairs and diplomatic activities of the Qing dynasty. . Due to wrong use of Chonghou, caused a mass defamation; but also because of the issue of Ryukyu Japan’s compromise and much controversial. At present, the research on Shen in academia is extremely disproportionate to its historical status, which is necessary for further investigation.