Robert van Gulik Biography

Robert Hans van Gulik was a Dutch diplomat renowned for his captivating Judge Dee mysteries. His literary journey began with translating an eighteenth-century Chinese murder mystery, which inspired him to create original tales for Judge Dee, a character drawn from a seventh-century historical figure. Van Gulik masterfully blended historical detail with compelling plots, establishing a unique voice in detective fiction. Beyond his celebrated mysteries, he also authored significant academic works, primarily focusing on Chinese history.