William Gerald Beasley

William Gerald Beasley

W. G. Beasley (1919-2006) was born in Brackley , England, was a pioneer in the introduction of Japanese history in the British Universities and one of the leading researchers on the subject. With his dedication and his work helped to communicate the knowledge of Japan to a wider audience . After serving in the Navy during World War II learned Japanese and began an affair with the history of Japan that would last throughout his life. After completing his doctoral studies he became Professor of Oriental History at the School of Oriental and African Studies , University of London. Combined his work as a teacher with the investigation, the latter task he devoted all his life. In 1983 the Japanese government awarded him the Order of the Rising Sun in 1984 and became an Honorary Member of the Japan Academy. Finally, in 2001 the Japan Foundation awarded its Prize in recognition of his research work and disseminator of Japanese history .