Quick Facts
- Wade-Giles romanization:
- Lo Kuan-chung
- Original name:
- Luo Ben
- Also called:
- Luo Guan and Luo Daobun
- Courtesy name (zi):
- Guanzhong
- Born:
- c. 1330, Taiyuan?, Shanxi province, China
- Died:
- c. 1400, Hangzhou?, Zhejiang province
- Notable Works:
- “Romance of the Three Kingdoms”
- “Water Margin”
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Luo Guanzhong
Chinese author
Also known as: Lo Kuan-chung, Luo Ben, Luo Daobun, Luo Guan
Luo Guanzhong (born c. 1330, Taiyuan?, Shanxi province, China—died c. 1400, Hangzhou?, Zhejiang province) was a Chinese writer who traditionally has been credited as the author of the novels Sanguozhi yanyi (Romance of the Three Kingdoms) and Shuihuzhuan (Water Margin, or All Men Are Brothers), which are classics of Chinese literature.
Little is known with confidence about Luo’s life. His authorship of Sanguozhi yanyi and Shuihuzhuan (the latter possibly written jointly with Shi Naian) is disputed. The first work is a historical narrative, while the second is a semi-historical picaresque novel about a band of outlaws, written in the colloquial style. Both works enjoy continued popularity.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Encyclopaedia Britannica.
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