Online lecture. Emily Hahn (1905–1997), known as Xiang Meili in Chinese, was a lifelong columnist for The New Yorker and one of the most prolific and adventurous writers of the 20th century. Her fascinating life journey spanned three continents—Africa, Asia, and Europe—where she fearlessly delved into diverse cultures and penned over 50 books, including more than ten focused on China. Works such as Mr. Pan, The Soong Sisters, and China to Me became bestsellers in the U.S. during the 1930s and 1940s, garnering widespread acclaim. Despite her achievements, Hahn has become an overlooked literary gem in contemporary America. In recent years, her works have been reintroduced to Chinese audiences, though much remains to be discovered about her extraordinary life and writings.