Herbert Allen Giles was a British diplomat and author whose works explored China and the Far East. His diplomatic career provided him with a deep understanding of the region, which he translated into insightful literary works. Giles focused on conveying the richness and complexity of Chinese civilization, its history, and its philosophical traditions to a Western audience. His writings offer a unique perspective on the culture and thought of China, making him a significant voice in the study of the East.
Long considered a masterpiece of the eerie and fantastic, Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio is a collection of supernatural-themed tales compiled from ancient Chinese folk stories by Songling Pu in the eighteenth century
Herbert Allen Giles significantly influenced the study of Chinese language and culture through his long tenure as a professor at Cambridge University and his diplomatic service in China. He is best known for modifying the Wade-Giles romanisation system, which became a standard for Chinese transliteration. His scholarly contributions include translations of key texts such as the Analects of Confucius and the Tao Te Ching, as well as the publication of a comprehensive Chinese-English dictionary in 1892, making Chinese literature more accessible to Western audiences.