China: The Chinese writer Lu Xun (September 25, 1881  October 19, 1936). Photo 1933. Lu Xun (or Lu Hsun), was the pen name of Zhou Shuren (Chou Shu-jen). One of the major Chinese writers of the 20th century. Considered by many to be the founder of modern Chinese literature, he wrote in baihua (the vernacular) as well as classical Chinese. Lu Xun was a short story writer, editor, translator, critic, essayist and poet. In the 1930s he became the titular head of the Chinese League of the Left-Wing Writers in Shanghai.