Sun Tzu (c. 6th century BCE) was a Chinese general whose life is shrouded in mystery. It is believed that he served King Helu of Wu, and that he rose to fame as a result of his successful military exploits. Today he is a legendary figure in Asia, and his works are cited in every discipline from sports to politics in the West.

Lionel Giles (1875 - 1958) was a British sinologist, writer, and philosopher. Lionel Giles served as assistant curator at the British Museum and Keeper of the Department of Oriental Manuscripts and Printed Books. Giles is most notable for his 1910 translation of The Art of War by Sun Tzu and The Analects of Confucius.