He was born in Berlin and lived there, being educated at the University of Berlin, until he fled the Nazis to London in 1934, where he spent all the rest of his life except for brief periods as a visiting professor in various countries, teaching Chinese at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London from 1947 to 1960.
Born in Berlin and educated there until fleeing Nazi Germany for London in 1934, he spent his life except for occasional visits as a visiting professor in various countries teaching Chinese at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London from 1947 to 1960.