Edgar Snow was born in Missouri, USA, in 1905. He came to China as a young journalist, working in Beiping (today's Beijing) and befriending figures like Soong Ching-ling.
In 1936, while the world was full of rumours about Yan'an, the 31-year-old Snow broke through the blockade into the northern Shaanxi base. He stayed four months: long night talks with Mao Zedong, recording the Long March, taking the famous "Mao in an octagonal cap" photo, and witnessing daily life of the base.
Back in Beiping he wrote Red Star Over China, published in London in 1937 to worldwide sensation. It was the first honest Western account of the Chinese Communist Party and the Red Army — showing the world that in northwest China, people were fighting for national liberation.
Snow cared about China all his life. After his death in 1972, part of his ashes were buried by Weiming Lake at Peking University. The tombstone reads "A Friend of the Chinese People". He remains a model of eyewitness, truthful journalism — and a witness to Sino-American friendship.
Edgar Snow (1905-1972), American journalist and author, is world-famous for Red Star Over China (Chinese edition: Xi Xing Man Ji). He was the first Western reporter to reveal the true face of "Red China" to the world.
His China years: Snow arrived in Shanghai in 1928 as assistant editor of the China Weekly Review and lived and worked in China about 13 years. He interviewed Lu Xun and Soong Ching-ling and reported on China social conditions.
The 1936 journey to the Northwest: driven by the question "what are the Chinese Communists really like?", Snow broke through blockades and reached the Soviet area in northern Shaanxi, meeting Mao Zedong in Baoan (today Zhidan County) for long conversations; he also interviewed Zhou Enlai, Zhu De and other leaders, recording Red Army life in caves and trenches.
Red Star Over China: published in 1937, it caused a sensation. It truthfully recorded the Long March, life in the Soviet areas and leader interviews, showing the world the ideals and convictions of the Chinese Communists. The Chinese edition appeared in 1938 and became initiation reading for countless Chinese youth.
Later years: after 1949, Snow visited China three more times (1960, 1964, 1970); on the last visit Mao received him and he reviewed a National Day parade from Tiananmen. He died in Switzerland in 1972; part of his ashes rest beside Weiming Lake at Peking University.
Visits: Snow tomb at Peking University Weiming Lake; a Snow research centre at Beijing Foreign Studies University; exhibits in Yan an Revolutionary Memorial. Snow proved a great reporter lets the world know a country more truthfully.
Snow tombstone inscription was written by Marshal Ye Jianying: "Tomb of Edgar Snow, American friend of the Chinese people." Every Qingming, Peking University students sweep the tomb beside Weiming Lake. Such honour for a journalist is almost unique in press history - respect earned by truth and courage.
Snow influenced Chinese youth profoundly: when the Chinese edition appeared in 1938, countless passionate young people set out for Yan an after reading it. An American journalist words changed the choices of a Chinese generation - the power of truthful reporting and the highest meaning of journalism.
