Lu Xun

Lu Xun (鲁迅, pinyin: Lǔ Xùn) or Lu Hsün (1881-1936), is often considered the founder of modern baihua (vernacular) Chinese literature.

Born in Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, Lu was born Zhōu Shùrén (周樹人). As a left-wing writer, Lu played an important role in the history of Chinese literature. His books greatly influenced many Chinese youths. He was a lecturer in the Peking University, after returning from Japan in 1909.

In May 1918, he published the first baihua short story ever, A Madman's Diary (狂人日記, Kuangren Riji). In it, he heavily criticized many old Chinese traditions and family rules. Another of his well-known longer stories, A True Story of Ah Q (阿Ｑ正傳 Ah Q Zhengzhuan), was published in the 1920s. Both these works were included in his short story collection Na Han (呐喊, Nahan, "Call to Arms", 1923). His other important works include:

• Wild Grass (野草, Ye Cao)
• Wandering (彷徨, Pang Huang) - short story collection
• and around 20 more.

He was also the editor of several left-wing magazines such as New Youth and Mengya. He was the brother of another important Chinese writer, the essayist Zhōu Zuòrén (周作人).

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Lu Xun is also another name of Lu Yi, a general of the Kingdom of Wu, during the Three Kingdoms period of China.