Mu Ouchu 穆藕初

 

Mu Ouchu (1876-1943), born into a cotton trader's family in Shanghai, was a famous industrialist, educationist and cotton expert in 20th century China. After receiving his master's degree in agronomy in the United States, Mu returned to China and set up three large-scaled cotton mills in Shanghai and Zhengzhou, the capital of Henan Province, all operating with advanced western management concepts. The mill in Zhengzhou had a great influence on the local textile industry and urban development.

While living a simple life, Mu made huge donations to education, opening schools and financing more than ten talented students at Peking University to study abroad. A fan of drama and classical music, Mu also made great efforts to preserve and revive the performing art of Kunqu. In 1921, with his financial support, the Kunqu Teaching and Learning Institute opened in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province.