Cambridge: Stephen Owen, a distinguished scholar in Chinese literature and a laureate of the 2018 Tang Prize in Sinology, has passed away at the age of 81 in the United States, according to the Tang Prize Foundation. Owen's death occurred in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and the foundation expressed profound condolences while acknowledging his enduring contributions to global scholarship and cultural exchange.

According to Focus Taiwan, Owen was a retired professor from Harvard University and was highly respected as a leading authority on Tang Dynasty poetry. His extensive body of work, comprising more than 30 academic publications, has significantly impacted the field, with many of his writings translated into Chinese. Owen was especially noted for his comprehensive translations and analytical studies of the poet Du Fu, through which he helped introduce classical Chinese poetry to an international audience.

Owen's receipt of the Tang Prize in Sinology in 2018 marked a significant recognition of his scholarly achievements. During his visit to Taiwan for the award ceremony, he actively engaged with the local academic community. His translations have also resonated with a broader audience in Taiwan, where they have been incorporated into educational contexts and sparked widespread discussion about their effectiveness in conveying the stylistic elements and meanings of classical Chinese poetry.

The foundation expressed its honor in recognizing Owen's accomplishments and emphasized that his scholarly work will continue to influence academics and readers for generations to come.