Wu Mi () (August 20, 1894 – January 17, 1978) (once using the name Wu Yuheng () was one of the founders of Chinese comparative literature, a critic, redologist (one who studies the Chinese classic book Dream of the Red Chamber), educator and poet. In 1942 he became a professor in Ministry of Education (Republic of China). He was also one of the originators to begin Tsinghua University's school of Sinology. While studying at Harvard, he became known as "one of the three Outstanding Persons of Harvard" along with Chen Yinke and Tang Yongtong ().
Education In 1903, Wu Mi went to an old-style private school, where his classmates ranged from ten to thirty years old, to begin studying Sinology systematically in Xi'an. He read Confucian classics such as Spring and Autumn Annals, Zuo Zhuan. He also read Xinmin Series Newspaper () Shanghai Vernacular Newspaper (), the papers sent by his family from Shanghai. He also tried writing novels, but did not succeed.Memoirs of Wu Mi (追忆吴宓) written by Li Jikai (李继凯) and Liu Ruichun (刘瑞春) P481
Wu Mi went to Sanyuan County in order to learn from Wang Linbian () in October 1904. In the same year, the imperial examination system was officially abolished.
In the beginning of 1906, he moved to Sanyuan County with his grandmother from Xi'an (). He took the preparatory course of Hongdao Advanced School (宏道高等学堂, like junior school today) studying Chinese, English, Maths etc. During the study, he began to write poems, novels and scripts. He tried to make a magazine called Magazine of Xi'an (), but gave up very soon. At that time, he first read the novel Dream of the Red Chamber.Wu Mi, Emissary of ideal (吴宓, 理想的使者) written by Zhang Hong (张宏) P300
Wu changed his name to Wu Mi in May 1910. He took the entrance examination of Tsinghua Preparatory School for America () and took first place in the regional examination of Xi’an. In 1911, he passed the reexamination as the second of 400 students from all over China. He cut his long braid when he arrived in Beijing. On 29 April, he began his study in Tsinghua School, but because of financial difficulties Tsinghua School () was suspended for a while. At that time, he went to Shanghai to do proofreading work for People Daily ().Memoirs of Wu Mi (追忆吴宓) written by Li Jikai (李继凯) and Liu Ruichun (刘瑞春) P482
In February 1912, Wu went to Shanghai to learn English at St. John's University.Self-edited Chronicle (吴宓自编年表) written by Wu Mi (吴宓) P108 In May, he went back to Tsinghua School.Self-edited Chronicle (吴宓自编年表) written by Wu Mi (吴宓) P110 He was elected the representative of a student strike in September and was expelled from the school, but soon the school restored his name on the school roll for his outstanding achievement in school.Self-edited Chronicle (吴宓自编年表) written by Wu Mi (吴宓) P117-118
Wu Mi graduated from Tsinghua Preparatory School in June 1916. Since he didn't pass the physical examination and had an eye disease, he was deferred from going to America for one year. He worked as a translator of Tsinghua School's copy-writing department. During his study in Tsinghua, he was the editor of Tsinghua Study Journal (), Tsinghua Weekly () and Tsinghua English Annual Report (). A lot of his articles were published in these newspapers and magazines.Wu Mi, Emissary of ideal (吴宓, 理想的使者) written by Zhang Hong (张宏) P301
Wu arrived at America in September 1917. He went to the University of Virginia to learn Literature.Self-edited Chronicle (吴宓自编年表) written by Wu Mi (吴宓) P162 In June 1918 he finished the one-year study in University of Virginia and started studying in Harvard Summer School to learn French and Psychology. He later made friends with Mei Guangdi (), who was sent to Harvard by Tsinghua in 1911. With Mei Guangdi's help, Wu enrolled in the School of Comparative literature in Harvard University where he studied with Professor Irving Babbitt.Memoirs of Wu Mi (追忆吴宓) written by Li Jikai (李继凯) and Liu Ruichun (刘瑞春) P486
Wu got a Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard University in June 1920 and moved on to the graduate school of Harvard in September. In June 1921 he received the Master of Arts degree of Harvard. Then he went back to China.Wu Mi, Emissary of ideal (吴宓, 理想的使者) written by Zhang Hong (张宏) P302
Career In September 1921, Wu Mi was elected as professor in English and English literature department of National Southeastern University (Nanjing Higher Normal School, later renamed National Central University and Nanjing University). In October, he set up Xueheng Society () and began to publish the journal Xueheng with scholars including Liu Yizheng, , Hu Xiansu and Liu Boming. Wu Mi made himself editor in chief.
In September 1922, the Department of Western Literature was found in Southeast University and Wu Mi became the professor of that department.
In April 1924, Western Literature Department of National Southeastern University in Nanjing was cut down. Wu Mi went to Northeast University in Fengtian (now Shenyang) as an English professor.
In February 1925, Wu Mi left Northeast University and went to Tsinghua University as chairman of Research Institute.
In March 1926, Wu Mi resigned the chairman of Research Institute and focused himself on the teaching.
In June 1927, Wu Mi accepted the post of chief editor of the literature section of Ta Kung Pao.
In 1929, Wu Mi attempted to establish the ideal school with Liang Shuming, but it didn't succeed.Wu Mi, Emissary of ideal (吴宓, 理想的使者) written by Zhang Hong (张宏) P303
In September 1930, Wu Mi went to Europe to visit and study. One year later, he came back to Tsinghua and continued his teaching. At Tsinghua, his famous students included Qian Zhongshu, who, while greatly admiring Wu, wrote a satirical essay about him, which caused a minor scandal. Qian's essay followed on a similar profile of Wu as being an estimable man but a deluded romanticist by Wu's colleague Wen Yuan-ning.Wen Yuan-ning and others. "Imperfect Understanding: Intimate Portraits of Modern Chinese Celebrities" (Amherst, MA: Cambria Press, 2018).
In 1937, the Second Sino-Japanese War broke out. The Apartment of Literature of National Southwestern Associated University which is made up of Tsinghua University, Peking University, Nankai University was set up in Hengshan. Wu Mi went to Hengshan to teach.
In January 1938, National Temporary University was renamed National Southwestern Associated University and moved to Kunming. Wu Mi also moved with the Department of Literature to be a professor in Kunming.Wu Mi, Emissary of ideal (吴宓, 理想的使者) written by Zhang Hong (张宏) P304
In 1941, at the age of 48, Wu continued teaching in National Southwestern Associated University At the end of the year, the Pacific War broke out and Hong Kong was seized by Japanese army. One year later, in 1942, Wu Mi became a professor of Western Literature in the Ministry of Education.
In 1944, Wu Mi got a one-year-long vacation approved by the Ministry of Education (Republic of China). During the vacation he gave lectures at several universities such as Yenching University and Sichuan University.
The vocation came to an end in 1945 and Wu made up his mind to become a professor of the English Department in Yenching University, so he refused the position of the English Department chairman. At the same time, he was the visiting professor of Chinese Department in Yenching University, as well as the chair professor of Sichuan University.Wu Mi, Emissary of ideal (吴宓, 理想的使者) written by Zhang Hong (张宏) P305
In 1946, Wu didn't go back to Tsinghua University though the university was restored in fall. In August, Wu went to Wuhan and joined Zhonghua University (now Central China Normal University) and held the post of English Department chairman. Meanwhile, he was the editor of the literary supplement of Wuhan Daily.
In April 1948, Wu Mi lectured in the Northwestern University in Xi’an. The same year in May, he went to Guangzhou in order to give lessons in both Zhongshan University and Lingnan University.
In 1950, Wu changed to be the professor of the English Department in Sichuan Education College (). In 1952, Sichuan Education College was incorporated and renamed as Southwest Normal College (), and then Wu became the professor of the college.Wu Mi, Emissary of ideal (吴宓, 理想的使者) written by Zhang Hong (张宏) P306
Personal life
Marriage Wu Mi is not only a poet and a writer, but also recognized as a devoted lover. In November 1918, When Wu Mi studied at Harvard, suddenly he received a letter from his classmate Chen Liexun, Chen wanted to introduce his sister Chen Xinyi () to WuMi for his wife. In August 1921, As Wu Mi returned home, he hurried to Hang Zhou to see Chen Xinyi. They formally married each other after 13 days later. So Wu Mi's first marriage was hasty. But the marriage proved a tragedy later.The biography of WuMi (吴宓传) written by BeiTa (北塔) P123
Wu Mi married Zou Lanfang () in her twenties in 1953. Zou Lanfang's life is really very pitiful. She completed her study in Chongqing University with her brothers' aid financially who were working for the KMT. When her brothers died, she took up the heavy burden to raise her brothers' children. She had poor health and it made her life difficult to continue.
When she saw an article in Xinhua Daily written by Wu Mi, She began to write to Wu Mi of her own initiative, and show her great worship of him. Then she went to Wu Mi's home without invitation asking Wu questions and helping him to wash clothes as his student. At the end, Wu Mi married her and at that time, Wu Mi had a high salary and had a higher political status. But Wu was tormented that the love between teachers and students disgraced him, also, Zou Lanfang was taking medicine all the time. Wu Mi once mentioned to his friend that, it was helping her to raise her family of nine rather than just love.
Three years later, Zou Lanfang died of a lung disease. And Wu Mi continue to raise her nephews and nieces because of his honesty and kindness.
Another important woman in Wu Mi's life is Mao Yanwen (). Mao Yanwen was Chenxinyi's good friend. One day, when visiting her close friend, she met Wu Mi by chance. Wu Mi had known Mao Yanwen for a long time, and admired her excellent talent. Because Mao Yanwen's fiancée was Wumi's classmate Zhu Junyi (), so he buried this emotion in the bottom of his heart. But as soon as Mao Yanwen broke up with Zhu Junyi, Wumi told her his love, despite being a family man. Mao Yanwen rejected Wu Mi flatly. Wu Mi also didn't give up, he unexpectedly divorced with Chen Xinyi in order to pursue Mao Yanwen. Years later, Mao Yanwen was touched by Wu Mi's persistence. But at this time, Wu Mi hesitated whether to marry her or not, and still was keen on keeping an ambiguous relationship with other girls. At last, Mao Yanwen married another man. Wu Mi also lost his favourite woman in his life. He was sad and filled with regret.
Father He studied in Tsinghua university in 1911 where his thought had an embryonic form and become vague. He realized that the more one desires money, the less one has moral character. It is this idea that made the conflict between him and his father. The conflict showed up in the money, utility, position, and knowledge. He even stated clearly that although he would be an unworthy son, he wanted to be a useful man.
And in his real life later, Wu Mi could not run away from the duty and responsibility in waiting on and supporting his father. It was not only an ordinary affair but also Chinese traditional morality which he did not dare to disobey.The biography of Wu Mi (吴宓传) written by BeiTa (北塔) P14
Anecdotes Wu Mi and the dog