Đặng Văn Ngữ, Vietnamese physician and academic (d. 1967)

The life and contributions of Đặng Văn Ngữ, a distinguished Vietnamese medical doctor and intellectual, spanned a significant period from 1910 to 1967. Beyond his professional achievements in medicine, Ngữ became a notable figure in Vietnam's intellectual landscape, particularly remembered for his courage and active involvement during a crucial era of political and cultural ferment in the mid-20th century.

Engagement in the Nhân Văn Affair

Đặng Văn Ngữ is most widely recognized for his prominent role as an active participant in the infamous Nhân Văn affair. This significant movement, which unfolded in communist-led North Vietnam during the mid-1950s, represented a bold and collective demand from many middle-class intellectuals for greater freedoms and democratic principles. At a time when the nascent communist state was solidifying its ideological control, these intellectuals, including Ngữ, bravely stepped forward to advocate for more open expression and a less restrictive society. Their call for freedom and democracy was a powerful, if ultimately suppressed, moment in the intellectual history of North Vietnam, with Ngữ standing out as one of its articulate and committed voices.

Frequently Asked Questions about Đặng Văn Ngữ

Who was Đặng Văn Ngữ?

Đặng Văn Ngữ was a Vietnamese medical doctor and intellectual, active during the mid-20th century.

When did Đặng Văn Ngữ live?

He lived from 1910 to 1967.

What was the Nhân Văn affair?

The Nhân Văn affair was a movement in North Vietnam during the mid-1950s where middle-class intellectuals demanded freedom and democracy in the communist-led state.

What was Đặng Văn Ngữ's role in the Nhân Văn affair?

He was known as one of the active and prominent participants in this intellectual movement.