Stephen Soong (1919 - 1996), also known by his pen name Lin Yiliang, was a literary critic and translator. In 1940, he graduated from the Department of Western Languages at Yenching University and remained there as a teaching assistant. In 1949, he relocated to Hong Kong, where he held various positions, including at the United States Information Agency (where he met Eileen Chang due to work), Motion Picture & General Investment Co. Ltd., Shaw Brothers Pictures International Limited, and as the Director of the Research Center for Translation at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He also served as the Assistant to the President of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Stephen Soong translated numerous Western literary works and authored several books, including "Lin Yiliang's Poetry Talks" 《林以亮詩話》,"Lin Yiliang on Translation" 《林以亮論翻譯》, and "Eileen Chang's Private Conversations" 《張愛玲私語錄》. He edited and published a series of literary critiques, promoting the development of modern literature. Additionally, letters exchanged between Stephen Soong and other literary giants, including Qian Zhongshu, fully reflect his legacy and contributions to the cultural sphere.

Stephen Soong's wife, Mae Fong Soong (1919 - 2007), also worked at the United States Information Agency and translated literary works under the name 方馨. After Eileen Chang moved from mainland China to Hong Kong in 1952, she worked as a translator at the United States Information Agency, before moving to the United States in 1955. During this period, she received considerable care and support from the Soong couple, and they became her closest friends for the rest of her life.

This special collection is currently under development and its content will be regularly updated.

Sources:

• 《張愛玲往來書信集 = To my beloved friends : letters of Eileen Chang, Stephen Soong & Mae Fong Soong 1/ 紙短情長, 1955-1979》
• 《張愛玲往來書信集 = To my beloved friends : letters of Eileen Chang, Stephen Soong & Mae Fong Soong 2/ 書不盡言, 1980-1995》
• 《宋家客廳 : 從錢鍾書到張愛玲》