Agnes Smedley

Date of Birth: February 23, 1892

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: May 6, 1950

Biography

Agnes Smedley was an American journalist and writer known for her work covering revolutionary movements in China and India. Born into poverty in rural Missouri, she moved to Colorado to pursue an education, eventually becoming involved in socialist and feminist causes. Smedley moved to New York City in the early 20th century, where she became a prominent figure in radical circles and a passionate advocate for Indian independence from British rule. In the late 1920s, she relocated to China, where she spent much of the next decade reporting on the Chinese Civil War and the struggles of the Chinese Communist Party. Her most famous work, “China’s Red Army Marches,” provided a rare and detailed account of the Long March. Smedley was a controversial figure, often accused of being a Communist spy, and her personal life was marked by intense political and social activism. She passed away in the UK in 1950.

5 Interesting Facts about Agnes Smedley

1. Agnes Smedley was one of the few Western journalists to live with and report on the Chinese Communist forces during the Chinese Civil War.

2. Her book “Daughter of Earth” is a semi-autobiographical novel that provides insight into her early life and radicalization.

3. Smedley was accused of espionage for the Soviet Union, though these allegations were never conclusively proven.

4. She was an ardent supporter of Indian independence and worked closely with prominent Indian nationalist figures in the United States.

5. Smedley was awarded the Chinese Order of the Red Banner for her contributions to the Chinese revolutionary cause.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Agnes Smedley

1. “War is never a lasting solution for any problem.”

2. “I have always been on the side of the people who fight for justice, and I have never been ashamed of it.”

3. “The essence of peace is to be merged in harmony with one’s surroundings.”

4. “The truth is always revolutionary.”

5. “One must struggle to live and live to struggle.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Agnes Smedley did not achieve significant financial wealth during her lifetime. Her highest net worth is not well-documented but is believed to have been modest, consistent with her life as a journalist and activist.