Wu Cheng'en , courtesy name Ruzhong , pen name "Sheyang Hermit," was a Chinese novelist and poet of the Ming Dynasty, best known for being the attributed author of one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature, Journey to the West. Wu was born in Lianshui, in Jiangsu province, and later moved to nearby Huaian. Wu's father, Wu Rui, had had a good primary education and "shown an aptitude for study," but ultimately spent his life as an artisan because of his family's financial difficulties. Nevertheless, Wu Rui continued to "devote himself to literary pursuits," and as a child Wu... acquired the same enthusiasm for literature—including classical literature, popular stories, and anecdotes.
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| Birthdate: | 1506 |
| Birthplace: | Huainan |
| Date of death: | 1582 |
| Also known as: | Wu Chengen, Cheng'en Wu |