Mark Aylwin Thomas Publishes “Blades of Grass: The Story of George Aylwin Hogg” – Honoring a Humanitarian Legacy Remembered in China

George Aylwin Hogg died in 1945 at the age of thirty, yet his name and memory continue to be celebrated across China. Known for his honor, service, and courage, Hogg immersed himself in Chinese culture during one of the most turbulent times in its modern history. Through his leadership of the Chinese Industrial Cooperatives in Shandan, he trained young men in practical skills that would support postwar reconstruction and provide hope for future generations.

In “Blades of Grass: The Story of George Aylwin Hogg,” author Mark Aylwin Thomas—Hogg’s nephew—draws on his uncle’s personal papers and letters to create a moving and authentic portrait of this remarkable life. More than a wartime biography, the book captures the perseverance, humanity, and vision of a man who bridged cultures and built lasting institutions.

Hollywood briefly touched Hogg’s story in the 2008 film “The Children of Huang Shi,” but the film only hinted at the true depth of his legacy. Thomas restores the historical accuracy, letting Hogg’s own words reveal how, by casting aside prejudices of race, color, and creed, and by embracing his host culture with openness and respect, one man could become fully absorbed into a “foreign” environment and make a profound impact that endures across generations.

That legacy is tangible. Today, George Hogg’s name lives on in a chain of highly respected vocational colleges and universities throughout China, where teaching styles remain rooted in the principles he pioneered. His influence continues to shape education, culture, and cross-cultural understanding nearly eighty years after his passing.

The book’s title is drawn from an epitaph spoken at Chinese memorials: “Through his being and working, many [i]‘blades of grass’ will grow in places where none grew before.”[/i]

In March 2025, Renmin Publishing House in Beijing released a Mandarin edition of “Blades of Grass” to mark the 110th anniversary of Hogg’s birth and the 80th anniversary of his death.

This new edition ensures that future generations in China remain connected to his extraordinary story of friendship, sacrifice, and human unity.

This anniversary year has also been marked by a series of commemorative events in both

China and the United Kingdom, honoring Hogg’s life, legacy, and sacrifice. These gatherings reflect the deep esteem in which he is still held, and the enduring inspiration his story brings to people across cultures.

About the Author
Mark Aylwin Thomas was born in 1946, six months after George Hogg’s death. His family gave him the middle name “Aylwin” to honor his uncle’s memory. In 1988, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries invited him to memorial events for Rewi Alley, Hogg’s close colleague. During that visit, Thomas witnessed firsthand the respect and admiration China still held for his uncle. Deeply inspired, he committed to writing the definitive biography of George Aylwin Hogg.

In 2017, Thomas published “Blades of Grass” in English and later deposited his uncle’s archive in the Bodleian Library at Oxford. Today, he lives in Finland, where he continues to share George Hogg’s story with readers worldwide.

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