Jianren Wu

Wu Jianren (T: 吳趼人, S: 吴趼人, P: Wú Jiǎnrén, W: Wu Chien-jen, J: Ng4 Gaan2 Jan4; 1866–1910), also known as Wu Woyao (T: 吳沃堯, S: 吴沃尧, P: Wú Wòyáo, W: Wu Wo-yao, J: Ng4 Juk1 Jiu4) was a Chinese writer of the late Qing period. A native of Fatshan, Kwangtung province, he is known for several novels, namely Bizarre Happenings Eyewitnessed over Two Decades, A Strange Case of Nine Murders, and The Sea of Regret. Wu Jianren is a representative figure of modern Chinese novel for his innovation and technique. He was writing modern fiction at least a decade before Lu Xun, and was ahead of his time in his use of narrators and a centralized character. From 1902 to 1910, Wu Jianren wrote the most articles in the group of writers who responded to Liang Qichao's "revolution of Chinese novel".

Life

Wu Jianren was born in 1866, in Fatshan, Kwantung province. His great-great-grandfather, grandfather, and his father had all worked for the Qing government. Soon after he was born, his family changed his name from Baozhen to Woyao. Wu Jianren began school when he was eight, then enrolled in Foshan Academy at the age of 12. He lived in poverty since his father died in 1882, when he was 17 years old. In 1883, at age 18 Wu Jianren moved to Shanghai and began working as a waiter in a tea house and a clerk in Jiangnan Manufacture General Bureau (now known as Jiangnan shipyard). In 1897, he began to work as an editor for 《字林滬報》(Zilin Shanghai news)、《采風報》(Wind collector news)、《奇新報》(Peculiar news)、《寓言報》(Fable news), etc. Later in 1906, he became the Chief editor of 《月月小說》(alternative title All-story monthly). Then, he continues his life as a writer, his work includes fables, biography, and opera. He never became rich and died in October 1910 (45 years old) due to the poverty and overwork.