Edward T C Werner

Edward Theodore Chalmers Werner (1864–1954) was a British diplomat whose career in Qing Dynasty China blossomed into a profound and unique exploration of the hidden currents of Chinese spiritual life. Far beyond the political machinations of the era, Werner delved into the labyrinthine world of Chinese superstition, myth, and magic, unearthing the esoteric philosophies that underpinned everyday existence. His seminal works, *Myths and Legends of China* and *A Dictionary of Chinese Mythology*, ar…