Herbert Giles

Herbert Allen Giles (1845-1935) was a British sinologist and diplomat who made significant contributions to Chinese linguistics and translations. As professor of Chinese at Cambridge University for 35 years, he became one of the most influential Western scholars of Chinese language and culture during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His most enduring legacy is the Wade-Giles romanization system, which he developed by modifying Thomas Wade's existing system for transcribing Mandarin Chinese into Latin script. This system remained the predominant method for romanizing Chinese in the English-speaking world until the latter half of the 20th century. Giles produced numerous influential works including translations of major Chinese classics such as the Analects of Confucius, Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching, and Chuang Tzu. His comprehensive Chinese-English Dictionary, published in 1892, became a standard reference work for generations of scholars and students of Chinese. Prior to his academic career, Giles served as a British diplomat in China from 1867 to 1892, including a posting at Fort Santo Domingo in northern Taiwan. His extensive time in China and deep immersion in Chinese culture informed his scholarly work and translations, which helped bridge understanding between China and the West.

Readers value Giles' scholarly translations while noting their historical context and dated language. His Chinese-English dictionary receives praise for its thoroughness but criticism for archaic definitions. Liked: - Clear explanations of Chinese concepts for Western readers - Detailed footnotes and commentary providing cultural context - Professional but accessible writing style - Comprehensive coverage in his dictionary entries Disliked: - Victorian-era English that can feel stilted to modern readers - Some translations criticized as overly literal - Occasional Western cultural biases in interpretations - Outdated romanization system compared to pinyin On Goodreads, Giles' translations of Chinese classics average 3.8-4.2 stars. His "History of Chinese Literature" (1901) maintains a 3.9 rating across 89 reviews. Amazon reviews note his works are "academically solid but require patience with the formal language." Several academic reviewers cite his dictionary as "thorough but showing its age." Modern readers recommend his works primarily for scholarly research rather than casual reading.

A History of Chinese Literature (1901) A comprehensive survey covering Chinese literature from ancient times through the Qing Dynasty, including poetry, essays, philosophy, and fiction.

Chinese Sketches (1876) A collection of observations about Chinese society, customs, and daily life based on Giles' experiences as a diplomat in China.

Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio (1880) A translation of Pu Songling's classical Chinese stories about ghosts, fox spirits, and supernatural phenomena.

Chuang Tzŭ: Mystic, Moralist, and Social Reformer (1889) A translation and analysis of the writings of Zhuangzi, presenting his philosophical and mystical teachings.

Chinese-English Dictionary (1892) A comprehensive dictionary containing over 13,000 characters with multiple meanings and usage examples.

A Chinese Biographical Dictionary (1898) A reference work containing biographical entries for more than 2,500 notable figures in Chinese history.

An Introduction to the History of Chinese Pictorial Art (1905) A study of Chinese painting traditions and artistic developments from early periods to the modern era.

Religions of Ancient China (1906) An examination of traditional Chinese religious beliefs and practices, including Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism.

The Civilization of China (1911) A broad overview of Chinese culture, covering government, literature, social life, and religious thought.

How to Begin Chinese: The Hundred Best Characters (1919) An instructional text introducing basic Chinese characters selected for their practical importance and frequency of use.

Arthur Waley Like Giles, Waley was a British sinologist who translated major Chinese classics and poetry into English. His translations of Chinese and Japanese literature, including "The Tale of Genji" and works by Li Bai, significantly influenced Western understanding of East Asian literature.

James Legge Legge preceded Giles as a prominent translator of Chinese classics and served as the first professor of Chinese at Oxford University. His translations of the Chinese classics, particularly the Five Classics and Four Books, formed the foundation for Western study of Confucian texts.

Joseph Needham Needham wrote extensively about Chinese science, technology, and civilization through his monumental work "Science and Civilization in China." His research demonstrated China's historical contributions to global scientific development and challenged Eurocentric views of technological progress.

Bernhard Karlgren Karlgren developed systematic methods for studying the historical phonology of Chinese and created the Karlgren-GSR system for Middle Chinese reconstruction. His work on Chinese linguistics and ancient Chinese texts provided crucial insights into the development of the Chinese language.

Edward H. Schafer Schafer focused on medieval Chinese culture and produced detailed studies of Tang Dynasty civilization. His works, including "The Golden Peaches of Samarkand," explored China's cultural exchanges with other societies during the medieval period.