Chen Wenbo, male, Han nationality, is a native of Lu County, Shandong Province. He was born in 1940 and graduated from the Chemistry Department of Beijing Normal University. He was an instructor at Beijing Normal until sent to cadre schools in 1969.
After the cadre schools, Chen served in party and management positions at Beijing Normal University until becoming deputy director of the Cadre Department of the Cadre Bureau of the State Education Committee. He moved up to become director of the Cadre Department and later chief of the Personnel Branch there.