Pearl S. Buck, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author, and Nobel laureate in literature, formed Pearl S. Buck International in 1964, when she was living in her Perkasie home, writes Samantha Freise for the Pennsylvania Heritage.
This year, the foundation is celebrating 60 years of serving both the local community and many children around the world.
Born in 1892 to Presbyterian missionaries as Sai Zhenzhu, or Pearl Sydenstricker in English, Buck grew up among the people of China. During that time she learned to speak Chinese fluently, published her first piece of writing, suffered the loss of several siblings, and witnessed the decline of the Chinese imperial family.
Buck concentrated on writing, primarily about her life in China. Her novel “The Good Earth” was recognized with the Pulitzer Prize in 1932.
In 1934, she left China and settled on Green Hills Farm in Bucks County with her second husband, where she devoted herself to humanitarian work, finding ways to help Amerasian children.
In 1964, she was honored with the prestigious Gimbel Award for her humanitarian work. She used the money to create the foundation that remains active to this day.
Read more about Pearl S. Buck International in the Pennsylvania Heritage.
Meet Pearl S. Buck
