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25 Nov 2020

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Fudan pays tribute to late Prof. Lu Gusun

Generations of language learners follow his steps navigating across the sea of words.

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He was an outstanding educator whose lectures were thronged with eager students both on and off campus. He was a renowned lexicographer whose The English-Chinese Dictionary is the first of its kind in China. He once served as the interpreter at the Advisory Council for the Mayor of Shanghai and offered the English version of World Expo 2010 slogan “Better City, Better Life”. He was also a Shakespearean scholar, translator, and essayist. 

Lu works in his study

Lu (Middle) is the chief editor of The English Chinese Dictionary 

He is Professor Lu Gunsun. This year marks his 80th birth anniversary. An exhibition featuring Prof. Lu’s manuscripts was held on Handan campus and Jiangwan campus on December 18.

The exhibits include the manuscripts of some of his academic papers, his inscription for Class 2001 of the College of Foreign Languages and Literatures, notes of compiling The Chinese-English Dictionary (Unabridged), and handwritten exam papers for lexicology and lexicography and so on. His manuscripts show us how he viewed English teaching in China, how he inspired the younger generations to pursue academic excellence, and how he persevered with his career.


Lu’s handwritten comments, letters and inscriptions 




Prof. Lu enrolled at Fudan University as an English major at the age of 17, and thereafter spent his whole life on campus. His wisdom, sincerity and noble character are embodied in every page of the manuscripts that record his teaching career, dictionary drafts, translations, daily correspondence. 

“You’ve got more than one language to learn and at least one country to love.” This is what Prof. Lu advocated and practiced in his whole life. It is also the motto of the College of Foreign Languages and Literatures as well. He believed that the knowledge we gain should serve our nation.

Chair of University Council Jiao (in black suit) visits the exhibition

“It is precursors like Professor Lu Gusun whose pioneering efforts have helped elevate Fudan to a world’s leading university,” said Jiao Yang, Chair of University Council of Fudan University at the ceremony. She also highlighted we need to integrate the education of foreign languages with the country’s opening-up policy, and cultivate talents able to foster quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative. 

Through the manuscripts of Prof. Lu, we can appreciate some episodes of his great life. His voyage on the sea of words had consummated, but to young learners he left his dictionaries as the roadmap towards linguistic excellence and his lofty spirit as the compass of life.



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