Obituary | Jerusha Hull McCormack

It is with profound sorrow to announce the passing of our cherished friend, Professor Jerusha Hull McCormack. Professor McCormack was an internationally renowned scholar of comparative literature expert in Irish studies, researcher in comparative studies of Chinese and Western cultures, visiting professor and lifelong academic advisor at the Irish Studies Centre of Beijing Foreign Studies University, who passed away in Dublin on 5 September 2025 at the age of 82. Her passing is a significant loss to the field of Sino-Irish cultural exchange and an irreparable sorrow for the Irish Studies Centre at BFSU.

Professor McCormack achieved remarkable success in the fields of comparative literature, Irish literature, and Sino-Western civilizational dialogue. She devoted herself to Oscar Wilde studies and authored four monographs on the subject, including The Man Who Was Dorian Gray (2000), in which she reconstructed the creative context of this literary giant through meticulous historical research and a cross-cultural perspective. Her edited works such as The Irish and China: Encounters and Exchanges (2019) and China and the Irish (2009) pioneered the exploration of interactions between China and Ireland in history, literature, and the arts, and have become foundational texts in this research area. In addition, her co-authored books with Professor John Blair—Thinking through China (2015) and Comparing Civilizations: China and the West (2013)—established a theoretical framework for Sino-Western dialogue through the innovative method of “keyword comparison.” These works have been adopted as core textbooks for courses in comparative literature and country and area studies at numerous universities. Notably, Western Civilization with Chinese Comparisons (2006), grounded in her extensive teaching experience in China, has become a classic text for understanding both the commonalities and differences between Chinese and Western civilizations.

Professor McCormack maintained a close and longstanding academic relationship with BFSU and the Irish Studies Centre. In 2004, she joined BFSU as a visiting professor, and over more than twenty years of collaboration, she played a key role in the establishment of the Irish Studies Centre and remained a steadfast supporter of its development. In 2021, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to Sino-Irish cultural exchange, Professor McCormack became the first Irish recipient of the “Special Book Award of China”. This award, established by the National Press and Publication Administration, is the highest honor in China’s publishing industry for overseas contributors.

Professor Jerusha McCormack, with her profound scholarship, broad-mindedness, and sincere dedication to academia, has left an indelible mark as a bridge between Chinese and Irish cultural exchange. Her passing takes away the wisdom and warmth of a beloved mentor, yet leaves behind the seeds of scholarship and bonds of collaboration that transcend borders. The Irish Studies Centre at BFSU will continue to deepen its research on Ireland and promote mutual understanding between civilizations, honoring her heartfelt contributions.

Irish Studies Centre, Beijing Foreign Studies University

September 6，2025