Mao Dun (1896-1981) was a Chinese editor and writer. Many critics regard him as China’s greatest Realist novelist. He played a leading part in the literary life of China in the 1920’s and 1930’s. After the Communists established the People’s Republic of China in 1949, Mao Dun became minister of culture. He held this post until 1964. During the 1970’s, he served as vice president of the Chinese Writers Association. His name is also spelled Mao Tun.
Mao Dun was born in Tongxiang County, Zhejiang Province, on June 25, 1896. His original name was Shen Yanbing. After finishing a preparatory course at Beijing University in 1916, he became an editor of the Shanghai Commercial Publishing House. In 1920, Mao Dun became a founding member of the Literary Association, and he edited its influential short-story magazine from 1921 to 1923. This magazine introduced many important Western writers to Chinese readers.
In 1927, Mao Dun wrote three short novels that were published in installments in 1927 and 1928 and published in book form as Eclipse. His novel Midnight (1933) is a powerful portrait of a Shanghai businessman who recognizes the need for social change but does not sympathize with Communist-led strikes. The novel exerted great influence on other writers in China. Mao Dun’s other works include the novel Rainbow (1930) and the short-story collection Spring Silkworms (1956). Mao Dun died in Beijing on March 27, 1981.
