Qian Zhongshu

A ritual known as zhuazhou, in which infants grab objects laid before them, led to the young Qian Zhongshu choosing a book, a gesture that defined his future path as a man of letters. Born in Wuxi in 1910, he evolved from a precocious child into a scholar who navigated the complex intersections of Chinese and Western literary traditions.

Academic Foundation

Qian enrolled at Tsinghua University in 1929 within the Department of Foreign Languages. Despite performing poorly in mathematics, he distinguished himself through his mastery of languages and frequent use of the institution's vast library. After graduating in 1933, he secured a Boxer Indemnity Scholarship, which facilitated his departure for England. He spent two years at Exeter College, Oxford, where he earned a Bachelor of Letters, followed by a year of further study at the University of Paris.

Literary Output

During the instability of the 1930s and 1940s, a period marked by the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Chinese Civil War, Qian produced his most significant creative works. He authored the satirical novel Fortress Besieged, which eventually became a best-seller upon its 1980 reprint and later adaptation into a television serial. His other notable publications from this era include the story collection Human, Beast, Ghost and the essay compilation Written in the Margins of Life.

Professional Evolution and Challenges

Upon returning to China in 1938, Qian held various academic appointments, including a professorship at the National Southwestern Associated University. In 1949, he began teaching at Tsinghua University, though the 1952 reorganization of higher education shifted his professional focus. He transitioned to the Institute of Literary Studies as a senior researcher and participated in the official project to translate the writings of Mao Zedong into English. During the Cultural Revolution, he faced significant persecution and was forced to work as a janitor, an experience that restricted his access to books and compelled him to rely on his own reading notes.

Later Years

Following the Cultural Revolution, Qian reemerged in academia, touring universities in Italy, the United States, and Japan between 1978 and 1980. In 1982, he accepted the position of deputy director of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Much of his final decade was dedicated to the composition of Limited Views. He died in Beijing in 1998, maintaining a deliberate distance from political spheres and mass media throughout his final years.

Fast facts

• Born: 1910, Wuxi
• Died: 1998, Beijing
• Educated: Tsinghua University, Exeter College
• Notable Work: Fortress Besieged
• Citizenship: China
• Occupation: Writer, translator, literary scholar

Questions readers ask

What is Qian Zhongshu's most famous work?

His most recognized work is the satirical novel Fortress Besieged, which gained significant public attention after its 1980 reprint and 1990 television adaptation.

Where did Qian Zhongshu receive his education?

He attended Tsinghua University in China, followed by Exeter College at the University of Oxford and the University of Paris.

Achievements

• Notable work: Fortress Besieged
• Held posts at Tsinghua University