# E. Werner

## Biography

Edward Theodore Chalmers Werner (1864–1954) was a distinguished British diplomat and sinologist. Born in New Zealand to Prussian and English parents, Werner was educated at Tonbridge School. He embarked on a lengthy career in the British consular service in Qing Dynasty China, serving in various cities like Peking, Canton, and Tianjin. After retiring from diplomatic work in 1914, Werner dedicated himself fully to sinology, becoming a respected expert on Chinese superstition, myths, and magic. He authored several notable works, including the critically acclaimed "Myths and Legends of China" (1922), which was considered a definitive resource on Chinese folklore in Western languages for many years. Werner married Gladys Nina Ravenshaw in 1911, and they adopted a daughter, Pamela. His later life was marked by personal tragedy, including the unsolved murder of his daughter in 1937, and his internment by the Japanese during World War II. He remained in Beijing for a significant period after his diplomatic career, contributing to academic institutions before eventually returning to England.

## Books

- [Myths and Legends of China](https://samolit.com/books/95920)