Perry Link

Perry Link is a renowned American professor and Sinologist who has made significant contributions to the field of Chinese language and Chinese literature. He is known for his work on Mao Zedong and the Cultural Revolution, as well as his research on Chinese history and Chinese culture. Link has taught at various institutions, including Princeton University and University of California, Riverside, and has collaborated with scholars such as Andrew Nathan and Orville Schell. His work has been influenced by scholars like Joseph Levenson and Frederic Wakeman.

● Early Life and Education

Perry Link was born in Missouri and grew up in a family that valued education and language learning. He developed an interest in Chinese language and Chinese culture at a young age, which led him to pursue a degree in Chinese studies at Harvard University. During his time at Harvard University, Link was influenced by scholars such as John King Fairbank and Benjamin Schwartz, who were prominent figures in the field of Chinese history and Chinese studies. He also had the opportunity to study with Taiwan-based scholars, including Yu Ying-shih and Huang Junjie, which broadened his understanding of Chinese society and Chinese politics. Link's early education laid the foundation for his future research on Chinese literature and Chinese history, which would take him to institutions such as Peking University and Fudan University.

● Career

Link's academic career has spanned several decades and has taken him to various institutions, including University of California, Los Angeles, Columbia University, and Princeton University. He has taught courses on Chinese language, Chinese literature, and Chinese history, and has supervised students who have gone on to become prominent scholars in their own right, such as Xiaoming Huang and Yongnian Zheng. Link has also been involved in various research projects, including a study on Chinese censorship and its impact on Chinese media, which was conducted in collaboration with scholars such as Rebecca MacKinnon and Jiao Guobiao. His work has been recognized by institutions such as the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Chiang Ching-kuo Foundation, which have provided funding for his research on Chinese culture and Chinese society. Additionally, Link has worked with organizations such as the Human Rights Watch and the Committee to Protect Journalists to promote human rights and press freedom in China.

● Research and Publications

Link's research has focused on various aspects of Chinese language and Chinese literature, including the works of Lu Xun and Mao Zedong. He has also written extensively on Chinese history, including the Qing dynasty and the Republic of China. His publications include books such as An Anatomy of Chinese: Rhythm, Metaphor, Politics and The Uses of Literature: Life in the Socialist Chinese Literary System, which have been well-received by scholars such as Jonathan Spence and Vivienne Shue. Link has also edited volumes on Chinese culture and Chinese society, including Popular China: Unofficial Culture in a Globalizing Society and Restless China, which have featured contributions from scholars such as Geremie Barmé and Wang Hui. His work has been influenced by scholars like Cai Yuanpei and Hu Shi, who were prominent figures in the May Fourth Movement and the Chinese Enlightenment.

● Awards and Honors

Link has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the field of Chinese studies. He has been recognized by institutions such as the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the Association for Asian Studies, which have awarded him fellowships and prizes for his research on Chinese language and Chinese literature. Link has also received funding from organizations such as the National Science Foundation and the Ford Foundation, which have supported his research on Chinese history and Chinese culture. Additionally, he has been awarded honorary degrees from institutions such as University of Hong Kong and National Taiwan University, which have recognized his contributions to the field of Chinese studies and his commitment to promoting academic freedom and human rights in China.

● Personal Life

Link is married to Teresa Woo, a scholar of Chinese art and Chinese architecture. He has two children, Emily Link and James Link, who have pursued careers in journalism and law, respectively. Link is an avid hiker and traveler, and has visited numerous countries, including Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. He is also a talented musician and has played the piano and guitar for many years. Despite his busy schedule, Link has always made time for his family and has been involved in various community activities, including volunteering for organizations such as the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army. Throughout his life, Link has been inspired by scholars such as Bertrand Russell and Noam Chomsky, who have been vocal advocates for human rights and social justice.