Arthur Waley

Born in London on August 19, 1889, he was educated at Rugby and King’s College, Cambridge. He worked at the British Museum and became one of the most admired translators of Chinese and Japanese literature into English, earning a reputation for making difficult classical texts feel approachable without losing their richness.

His books introduced many readers to writers and traditions they might never otherwise have encountered. Among his best-known translations are The Tale of Genji, Monkey—his retelling of Journey to the West—and celebrated versions of Chinese and Japanese poetry.

Over time, his work brought him both popular success and scholarly respect, and he was honored in Britain for his achievements. He died on June 27, 1966, leaving behind translations that are still widely read for their clarity, grace, and sense of discovery.