Zuber Usman
Zuber Usman Usman was born in Padang, West Sumatra, on 12 December 1916. He received his childhood education at a series of Islamic-oriented schools, beginning with a Thawalib School in Padang Panjang. In 1937 he graduated from the Islamic College in Padang, moving to Batavia the following year to become a Malay-language teacher at a Muhammadiyah-run school. During his lifetime Usman taught at a number of schools. During the Japanese occupation of Indonesia and ensuing revolution Usman wrote a number of short stories dealing with themes ranging from travel to true love and diligence; these were published in various local magazines. Eleven of these were later compiled in the anthology Sepanjang Jalan (dan beberapa cerita lain) (Along the Road [and other stories]), which was published in 1953 by Balai Pustaka, Indonesia's state publisher. By 2005 the book had seen three printings. After the publication of Sepanjang Jalan Usman wrote two histories of Indonesian literature, Kesusastr...