Lin Yutang


 
 

Lin Yutang (林語堂, October 10, 1895 – March 26, 1976) was a Chinese writer whose original works and translations of classic Chinese texts became very popular in the West.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Lin was born in Fujian province in southeastern China, near Xiamen. This mountainous region made a deep impression on his consciousness, and thereafter he would constantly consider himself a child of the mountains (in one of his books he commented that his idea of hell was a city apartment). His father was a Christian minister.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Lin studied for his bachelor's degree at Saint John's University in Shanghai, then received a half-scholarship to continue study for a doctoral degree at Harvard University. He left Harvard early however, moving to France and eventually to Germany, where he completed his requirements for a doctoral degree (in Chinese) at the University of Leipzig. From 1923 to 1926 he taught English literature at Peking University.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Dr. Lin was very active in the popularization of classical Chinese literature in the West, as well as the general Chinese attitude towards life. He worked to formulate a new method of romanizing the Chinese language, and created an indexing system for Chinese characters. After 1928 he lived mainly in the United States, where his translations of Chinese texts remained popular for many years. His many works represent an attempt to bridge the cultural gap between the East and the West. He was frequently nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

His first two books, My Country and My People (吾國吾民) (1935) and The Importance of Living (生活的藝術) (1937), written in English in a charming and witty style, brought him international fame. Others include Between Tears and Laughter (啼笑皆非) (1943), The Chinese Theory of Art (1967), and the novels Moment in Peking (京華煙雲) (1939) and The Vermillion Gate (朱門) (1953), Chinese-English Dictionary of Modern Usage (當代漢英辭典) (1973).

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Dr. Lin was buried at his home in Yangmingshan, Taipei, Taiwan. His home has been turned into a museum.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~


 

October 10: October 10 is the 283rd day of the year (284th in Leap years). There are 82 days remaining....

1895: 1895 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar)....

March 26: March 26 is the 85th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (86th in leap years). There are 280 days remaining....


Lin Yutang related Images and Photos (experimental)

Tam Lin
Tam Lin
Queen Latifah: Trav'lin' Light CD
Queen Latifah: Trav'lin' Light CD
Queen Latifah: Trav'lin' Light CD
Queen Latifah: Trav'lin' Light CD
Bruce and Shao-lin Kung Fu
Bruce and Shao-lin Kung Fu
Daniel Gélin and Françoise Arnoul: Les Amants Du Tage  1955
Daniel Gélin and Françoise Arnoul: Les Amants Du Tage 1955
Daniel Gélin and Robert Hirsch: En Effeuillant La Marguerite  1956
Daniel Gélin and Robert Hirsch: En Effeuillant La Marguerite 1956
Michèle Morgan  Daniel Gélin and Peter Van Eyck: Retour de Manivelle  1957
Michèle Morgan Daniel Gélin and Peter Van Eyck: Retour de Manivelle 1957
Golden Pagoda in Nan Lian Garden Near Chi Lin Nunnery  Diamond Hill  Kowloon  Hong Kong
Golden Pagoda in Nan Lian Garden Near Chi Lin Nunnery Diamond Hill Kowloon Hong Kong
Golden State Warriors v Phoenix Suns  Phoenix  AZ - February 10: Jeremy Lin and Zabian Dowdell
Golden State Warriors v Phoenix Suns Phoenix AZ - February 10: Jeremy Lin and Zabian Dowdell
Golden State Warriors v Los Angeles Lakers: Jeremy Lin
Golden State Warriors v Los Angeles Lakers: Jeremy Lin
Golden State Warriors v Oklahoma City Thunder: James Harden  Charlie Bell and Jeremy Lin
Golden State Warriors v Oklahoma City Thunder: James Harden Charlie Bell and Jeremy Lin

~ Table of Content ~

Introduction
External links
 


 

~ Related Subjects ~

March 26 (2) - Leap year (2) - October 10 (2) - Chinese language (1) - 1928 (1) - Chinese characters (1) - 1926 (1) - Peking University (1) - Chinese literature (1) - United States (1) - Taiwan (1) - 85 (1) - Gregorian Calendar (1) - Nobel Prize in Literature (1) - Yangmingshan (1) -
 

~ Community ~

History Forum
Come and discuss about History, Civilizations, Historical Events and Figures
History Web-Ring
A community of sites, blogs and forums dedicated to History. Do not hesitate to submit your site.