The 1910 translation of The Art of War by Sun Tzu remains a foundational text in military strategy, largely due to the rigorous linguistic standards set by Lionel Giles. By applying the Wade-Giles romanization system pioneered by his father, Herbert Giles, he brought a level of academic precision to Chinese classics that moved beyond the inaccuracies of his predecessors.
Academic Foundation and Early Training
Born in 1875 in Sutton, Giles spent his formative years gaining a broad international education. He studied privately in Liège, Belgium; Feldkirch, Austria; and Aberdeen, Scotland. He eventually entered Wadham College, Oxford, where he focused on the study of Classics and graduated with a BA degree in 1899. This rigorous classical training provided the methodology he later applied to his extensive work in sinology.
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Giles built a professional career within the British Museum and the British Library system. He served as an assistant curator before advancing to the role of Keeper of the Department of Oriental Manuscripts and Printed Books. During his tenure, he utilized these institutional resources to produce a vast body of English translations, positioning Chinese literature as a formal branch of classical inquiry.
Contributions to Translation
Giles was prolific in translating major Chinese philosophical texts, including works by Lao Tzu, Chuang Tzu, Lie Yukou, Mencius, and Confucius. His 1910 translation of The Art of War was notable for its critical reception of Everard Ferguson Calthrop’s earlier 1905 and 1908 editions. Giles argued that the omissions and distortions found in previous efforts were inexcusable, demanding a standard of honesty equivalent to the handling of Greek or Latin classics. His later work included The Book of Mencius in 1942 and A Gallery of Chinese Immortals in 1948, which drew from the Liexian Zhuan and other biographical sources.
Philosophical Outlook
While maintaining his professional obligations, Giles developed a personal affinity for Taoist thought. Associates noted that he possessed a quiet temperament, preferring a life removed from the aggressive academic disputes common among his contemporaries in the field of sinology. He died in 1958 at the age of 83, leaving behind an extensive bibliography that continues to serve as a primary point of reference for English readers of Chinese classics.
Fast facts
- Born: 1875, Sutton
- Died: 1958
- Educated: Wadham College
- Occupations: Librarian, translator, philosopher, sinologist
- Primary Employer: British Museum
- Known for: 1910 translation of The Art of War
- System used: Wade-Giles romanisation
Questions readers ask
What is the significance of the 1910 Art of War translation?
It replaced earlier, inaccurate versions by Everard Ferguson Calthrop and established a more honest, scholarly standard for translating Chinese military and philosophical texts.
Which major philosophers did Giles translate?
His translations include works by Sun Tzu, Confucius, Lao Tzu, Chuang Tzu, Lie Yukou, and Mencius.
Achievements
- Held posts at British Library and British Museum
- Fields: translation from Chinese, translation into English and sinology
