Giant of literature, Yang Xianyi, dies at 94

Renowned Chinese literature translator Yang Xianyi has died, Xinhua News Agency reported yesterday. He was 94.

Together with his British wife, Gladys Taylor, Yang translated scores of classics, including the 18th century work A Dream of Red Mansions and more modern pieces by 20th century writers, including Lu Xun.

Born in the northern port of Tianjin in 1915, Yang's wealthy family sent him to study the classics in England at Oxford University in 1936, where he met Taylor. Returning to China in 1940, the pair married and embarked on their lengthy careers in translation.