Wikipedia:Today's featured article/November 1, 2013

Lie Kim Hok (1853–1912) was a peranakan Chinese teacher, writer, and social worker active in the Dutch East Indies. Born in Buitenzorg, Lie studied in missionary schools. In the 1870s he began working as the editor of two periodicals published by his teacher, leaving the position in 1880. Lie's first books, including the critically acclaimed poem Sair Tjerita Siti Akbari and grammar book Malajoe Batawi, were published in 1884; Lie published a further 23 books before his death, including Tjhit Liap Seng (1886), considered the first Chinese Malay novel. Lie also acquired printing rights for the newspaper Pembrita Betawi, helped establish the Chinese organisation Tiong Hoa Hwe Koan, and wrote numerous articles in newspapers. Styled the "father of Chinese Malay literature", Lie is also considered influential to the colony's journalism and linguistics. However, he has also drawn criticism for adapting other writers' works without giving credit, a tendency first discovered after his death of typhus. As a result of the language politics in the Indies and independent Indonesia, his work has become marginalised. (Full article...)

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