Myint Swe (writer)
Myint Swe (Burmese: မြင့်ဆွေ, pronounced [mjɪ̰ɴ sʰwè]; 25 July 1912 – 21 September 1978) was a Burmese physician and writer. He is known for his first book and memoir, The Japanese Era Rangoon General Hospital, which chronicles the events at the only hospital in Yangon (Rangoon) open to non-Japanese during the Japanese occupation of Burma. It was a bestseller, and won the Burma National Literature Award, 2nd Prize for 1967. He published three more books though none achieved the first book's success.
Myint Swe | |
|---|---|
| Native name | မြင့်ဆွေ |
| Born | 25 July 1912 Thursday, 12th waxing of 2nd Waso 1274 ME Mandalay, British Burma |
| Died | 21 September 1978 (aged 66) Thursday, 5th waning of Tawthalin 1340 ME Rangoon, Burma |
| Pen name | Wunna Kyawhtin Dr. Myint Swe |
| Occupation | Physician, writer |
| Alma mater | Rangoon Medical College BJMC, Ahmedabad |
| Period | 1967–78 |
| Genre | non-fiction |
| Notable works | The Japanese Era Rangoon General Hospital |
| Notable awards | Burma National Literature Award, 2nd Prize Order of Independence, Third Class Wunna Kyawhtin Mahabhisaka |
| Spouse | Tin Htwe (1944–78) |
Prior to his literary career, the Mandalay-born Myint Swe had led a private practice in Yangon since 1952. He served as a principal physician with the title of Mahabhisaka at the Sixth Buddhist Council (1954–56), and regularly volunteered at the main hospital for monks until 1976. For his services to the country, Myint Swe was awarded the title of Wunna Kyawhtin, and the Order of Independence (Third Class) by the Burmese government.