author
Lewis Hodous
1872–1949
A missionary-scholar who spent decades in China, he helped introduce English-language readers to Chinese religion and thought. His work blends firsthand experience, academic study, and a lasting interest in Buddhism and Chinese culture.
1 Audiobook
Buddhism and Buddhists in China
by Lewis Hodous
About the author
Born in Bohemia on December 31, 1872, Lewis Hodous later moved to the United States and went on to become a missionary, educator, Sinologist, and Buddhologist. He is best known for his work connecting Western readers with Chinese religious and intellectual traditions.
Hodous served in China with the American Board and later taught at Hartford Seminary. His career combined field experience, language study, and scholarship, which gave his writing a practical, informed tone rather than a purely distant academic one.
He died on August 9, 1949. Today he is remembered for books and studies that helped early English-language audiences better understand Buddhism and Chinese life, making him a notable bridge between cultures.