Pearl S. Buck

Pearl S. Buck, also known by her Chinese name Sai Zhenzhu, was a groundbreaking American author born in June 1892. She is renowned for her literary fiction, non-fiction, and children's books, and is particularly celebrated for her profound work related to Chinese culture and society. Buck's parents were American missionaries, which led her to spend a significant portion of her early life in China. This experience greatly influenced her writing, with the majority of her novels set in this country.

Buck's life was marked by a series of remarkable achievements. In 1938, she became the first American woman to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature, further highlighting her important contributions to the literary world. Among her most notable works is "The Good Earth," a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that delves into the lives of Chinese farmers. This book, along with "East Wind, West Wind," established her reputation as a gifted writer and allowed her to become the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature who wrote in English.

In addition to her literary accomplishments, Buck was a dedicated human rights advocate. She was deeply committed to civil rights, women's rights, and was instrumental in establishing Welcome House, the first international and interracial adoption agency. Buck's multifaceted career included roles as a wife, mother, daughter, sister, editor, author, and political activist. She was unafraid to voice her opinions and fought for the causes she believed in. Pearl S. Buck passed away in Vermont in 1973, leaving behind a rich literary legacy that continues to inspire and captivate readers worldwide.