Lu Xun, born Zhou Zhangshou, was a Chinese writer, literary critic, lecturer, and state servant. He was a leading figure of modern Chinese literature. Writing in vernacular and Literary Chinese, he was a short story writer, editor, translator, literary critic, essayist, poet, and designer. In the 1930s, he became the titular head of the League of Left-Wing Writers in Shanghai during republican-era China (1912–1949).
Lu in 1930
Childhood residence of Lu Xun in Shaoxing
An execution scene, possibly viewed by Lu Xun in 1905
1918 printed edition of "Diary of a Madman", collection of the Beijing Lu Xun Museum
The history of Chinese literature extends thousands of years, and begins with the earliest recorded inscriptions, court archives, building to the major works of philosophy and history written during the Axial Age. The Han and Tang dynasties were considered golden ages of poetry, while the Song (960–1279) and Yuan (1271–1368) were notable for their lyrics (ci), essays, dramas, and plays. During the Ming and Qing, mature novels were written in written vernacular Chinese, an evolution from the preeminence of Literary Chinese patterned off the language of the Chinese classics. The introduction of widespread woodblock printing during the Tang and the invention of movable type printing by Bi Sheng (990–1051) during the Song rapidly spread written knowledge throughout China. Around the turn of the 20th century, the author Lu Xun (1881–1936) is considered an influential voice of vernacular Chinese literature.
Sima Qian laid the ground for professional Chinese historiography more than 2,000 years ago.
Bai Juyi (772–846), a famous Tang dynasty poet and statesman.
Wenchang Wang, a Chinese deity of literature.
Inside Chongwen Book City, a large bookstore in Wuhan.