Arthur Waley
1889–1966 (age 77)
Biography
Arthur Waley was one of the foremost translators of Chinese and Japanese literature in the English language, quietly bringing to life poems, plays, and epic tales for readers who might never have encountered them before. His renderings of works such as The Tale of Genji and selected Chinese poems blended crisp scholarship with a lyricism that felt like a direct conversation between cultures.
Beyond translation he produced essays and lectures that reflected on the craft of poetry and the friendships he formed along the way, allowing his gentle curiosity to shine through every page. His grave at Highgate Cemetery marks the peaceful conclusion to a life dedicated to bridging distant worlds with grace.