In Memoriam: Professor Stephen Owen (1946–2026)

The Asia Center is deeply saddened by the passing of Professor Stephen Owen (1946-2026). Steve was the James Bryant Conant University Professor of Chinese Literature. He was, quite simply, the most important scholar of classical Chinese poetry of the past half century. But somehow even this statement does not capture his significance. Steve was truly brilliant. One of those rare scholars who could combine extraordinarily nuanced readings of poetry with equally extraordinary re-thinkings of our (largely Euro-American) theories of literature.  He was also a deeply inspiring teacher. Through this extraordinary scholarship and inspiring teaching, he was able to develop the fields of Asian Literature and Comparative Literature to a stunning degree.

In terms of the Asia Center in particular, Steve was a major presence. He was a crucial figure in emphasizing the importance of creating a center that was devoted to developing the study of Asia in all of its complexity, outside of the Eurocentric paradigms that had come to define many of the existing disciplines. More specifically, he played a major role in building the Asia Center Publications program, clearly seeing the need for a top tier program to promote and publish the very best scholarship on Asia.

Steve was an extraordinary inspiration to us all. He will be missed dearly.

Michael Puett
Victor and William Fung Foundation Director, Asia Center
Walter C. Klein Professor of Chinese History and Anthropology, FAS
Harvard College Professor