Abstract: The subject of this research is Prof. Xu Zhongyu's (1915-) six-volume Collected Writings, and the paper approach his academic achievements through diachronic and synchronic methods by putting them into the social context in the past century. The three academic peaks in Prof. Xu's life can be linked by the fundamental literary thought which may be summarized as his advocacy of literature's positive role in the social progress, his promotion of art and academic freedom, and his emphasis on truth pursuit and independent thinking. His achievements are shown in four areas of Anti-Japanese War period literary theory, ancient Chinese literary theory, Russian literary theory, and modern and contemporary literary theory, and his achievements in these areas are interconnected and construct his academic framework. Prof. Xu's research methodology is realized in his application of theoretical thinking with practical application, his combination of microscopic analysis and macro synthesis, and his equal attention to the construction of a system and the inspiration of a reading note. Prof. Xu Zhongyu has not intended to dive into blue skies researches, and behind his academic pursuit and achievements are his life of ups and downs and his academic moral integrity.

Key words: Xu Zhongyu, academic life, claims of literature of art, academic framework, methodology of learning