Lin Yutang

Lin Yutang was a renowned and influential Chinese author and poet who wrote roughly 30 books in his lifetime, gaining worldwide recognition for his works. He was born in 1895 in Fujian and attended Saint John’s University in Shanghai, China. Yutang was the ninth child of ten and his eldest brother was the one who encouraged him to pursue writing. During his time at Saint John’s University, Yutang studied philosophy, politics, and literature, with a special focus on English literature.

Yutang's career as a writer began with translation work. He first translated works of English literature into Chinese, including those of Robert Frost, Oscar Wilde, and G. K. Chesterton. He then moved on to writing essays and short stories. He was the editor-in-chief of the Contemporary Review, which was published in both English and Chinese.

In 1929, Yutang's first major book was published in English,
My Country and My People. It was an autobiographical work in which he discussed the cultural, religious, and political aspects of China during that period. His work was well-received by readers in both China and the West and it earned him international praise.

The following year, Yutang published The Importance of Living, which gained even more success. The book was written for Englishspeaking readers, as it featured culturally specific references and anecdotes. This book discussed insights into life and the meaning of existence, as well as many topics such as aesthetics, daily life, philosophy, and politics. This book, like My Country and My People, was incredibly popular all around the world.

Throughout his career, Yutang wrote several additional works. In 1938, he wrote The Sinology of the Chinese, which was a comprehensive nonfiction work discussing the history, literature, and culture of the Chinese people. Additionally, Yutang wrote fiction pieces, poetry collections, and various essays.

Yutang's writing style is often called "light-hearted" because of his easy-to-read writing style, which helped make his works accessible to many people. His writing was often full of humor, but he also had a profound understanding of deep topics such as life and existence.

Besides being remembered for his written works, Yutang has been praised for his humanist outlook and support for free expression. His outlook on life was that everyone had the right to pursue their own happiness and the freedom to express their thoughts and beliefs. Yutang also supported the usage of modern technology, seeing it as a tool to help improve humanity.

At the end of his life, Yutang translated the Tao Te Ching, which earned him a nomination for the Nobel Prize for Literature. He passed away in 1976 at the age of 81 in Hong Kong.

To this day, Yutang’s works remain popular and even relevant among readers of many different backgrounds. His insightful and often humorous perspective on culture, life, and politics make his works a timeless part of literary history. As such, Lin Yutang stands as one of the most influential authors in Chinese history.