Mao Dun (Shen Dehong)

Mao Dun (1896–1981), originally named Shen Dehong and styled Yanbing, was a native of Wuzhen, Tongxiang, Zhejiang. He was a modern Chinese writer, literary critic and social activist. He took part in the building of modern Chinese literature through criticism and editorial work, and later secured his place in its history with the novel Midnight. His other works include the trilogy Eclipse, Spring Silkworms, The Lin Family Shop and Praise of the White Poplar. His writing draws closely on social reality, with a cool and meticulous touch, focusing on the relationship between individual circumstance and historical change, and extending to essays and the study of myth. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, he served as the first Minister of Culture and long as chairman of the Chinese Writers Association; in 1981 he donated funds to establish the Mao Dun Literature Prize. This site carries 15 of his works.