Charles Dunn (Japanologist)
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Charles J. Dunn (June 24, 1915 – July 30, 1995) was a British japanologist who played a critical role in establishing the field of Japanese studies within the United Kingdom.[1] In 1982 he was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun by Japanese Emperor Hirohito.
Life and career[edit]
Born in 1915, Dunn was educated at Queen Mary University of London where he earned a BA in French literature in 1936.[2] He then worked for three years with the Special Branch of the Metropolitan Police and as a school teacher before joining the Royal Navy in 1943.[2][1] Because of his background in foreign languages, the War Office assigned him to become a military translator and sent him to learn Japanese in an 18-month course at the SOAS University of London.[2][1] Displaying a gift both for Japanese and teaching, he was permanently assigned to the SOAS University of London as a lecturer to military translators in training for the remainder of the war.[1]
After the war, Dunn continued as lecturer at the SOAS; beginning with undergraduate courses in modern Japanese in 1947.[1] He remained there until his retirement in 1982; having achieved the position of professor in 1970.[1] In 1966, he published both the book Everyday Life in Traditional Japan, and his doctoral dissertation on Japanese theatre.[1] He served terms as president of the British Association for Japanese Studies and president of the European Association for Japanese Studies.[1] He was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun in 1982 by Japanese Emperor Hirohito.[1] He died in 1995 at the age of 80.[1]