Image for Reischauer, Edwin O.

Reischauer, Edwin O.

Edwin O. Reischauer was an influential American scholar and diplomat specializing in Korean and East Asian studies. He is best known for developing the Reischauer Romanization system, a method for converting Korean words into the Latin alphabet to facilitate pronunciation and learning. Reischauer's work helped bridge cultural understanding between Korea and the West, and he served as the U.S. ambassador to Japan. His scholarly and diplomatic efforts advanced knowledge of East Asian languages, history, and politics, making him a key figure in fostering international relations and academic study of the region.