Isabel Crook’s remarkable journey began in Chengdu, located in Southwest China’s Sichuan Province, where she was born on December 15, 1915. A native Canadian, she chose to dedicate a significant portion of her life to China and its people, intertwining her fate with the nation’s historical and political tapestry.
During the tumultuous years of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression from 1931 to 1945, Isabel found herself drawn to China’s rural development, working towards uplifting the country from within. Her journey took her to Britain, where she met and married David Crook, an active member of the Communist Party of Great Britain, and together, they played vital roles in the international fight against Fascism. Isabel herself became an official member of the Communist Party of Great Britain in 1943.
Not long after, she returned to China, immersing herself in the study of land reforms in provinces like Shanxi, Hebei, Shandong, and Henan. These experiences gave her profound insights into the nation’s social fabric and challenges. In recognition of her expertise and dedication, the Communist Party of China invited Isabel in 1948 to teach at the Central Foreign Affairs School, which later became the prestigious Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU), located in North China’s Hebei Province.
With the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, Isabel’s commitment to the nation deepened. She provided her services to BFSU for an astounding seven decades, playing a crucial role in nurturing scholars and diplomats who would go on to shape China’s global engagements. Beyond her teaching, Isabel’s prowess in anthropology and sociology manifested in her writings. Her books, including “Revolution in a Chinese Village: Ten Mile Inn” and “Xinglong Chang: Field Notes of a Village Called Prosperity 1940-1942,” showcased her meticulous observations of China’s revolution and growth. Through her writings, she provided the West and the global audience a unique lens to understand China, thereby fostering international understanding and cooperation.
Recognizing her unparalleled contributions, various institutions showered Isabel with honors. In 2007, the Beijing Foreign Studies University granted her the title of “Tenured Professor Emeritus.” Outside China, she was conferred an honorary doctoral degree by Toronto University. The Chinese government also celebrated her efforts, naming her among the “Top Ten Meritorious Foreign Teachers” and “the Most Influential Foreign Experts at the 40th Anniversary of China’s Reform and Opening-up.” Her crowning achievement came in 2019 when she received the Friendship Award of the People’s Republic of China – the country’s highest honor for foreign nationals.
Throughout her life, Isabel remained deeply connected to China’s rural development and was a passionate advocate for English education. As she departed from this world at the age of 108, her unwavering faith in the international Communist cause and her profound love for the Communist Party of China and its people remain as her lasting legacies. Respecting her final wishes, there will be no funeral, and her body will contribute to medical research. Isabel’s spirit, however, lives on, symbolizing the eternal bridge between nations and cultures.
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