Editor's note: This series introduces the five historical icons of the Communist Party of China (CPC): Chen Duxiu, Li Dazhao, Li Da, Chen Wangdao and Mao Zedong.

As a delegate to the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Li Da (October 2, 1890-August 24, 1966) was one of China's most important Marxist intellectuals and a founding member of the CPC.

Marxism-Leninism adherent

Li Da went to Japan to study in 1917 at a time when the Bolshevik Revolution was breaking out in Russia. Inspired by the revolution, he changed his major from science to Marxism-Leninism.

May 23, 2018: The Site of the First National Congress of the CPC is now preserved as a museum in Shanghai. /VCG Photo

He also translated into Chinese a large number of books related to Marxism-Leninism, such as "Marxist Historical Materialism" and "Marx’s Economics," for progressive newspapers at home.

CPC co-founder

Li Da returned to China in 1920 with the goal of "looking for comrades to wage revolution.”

He visited Chinese revolutionary socialist Chen Duxiu, who was in the process of building the CPC, in Shanghai, and Li gladly accepted the invitation to help found the party.

February 27, 2018: Li Da's profile is displayed at the site of the First CPC National Congress, which is now a museum in Shanghai. /VCG Photo

In 1921, he took charge of organizing the First CPC National Congress, at which he was elected as the publicity director, largely based on his experience as the deputy secretary of the Shanghai communist group and a member of the planning group for the Congress.

Li played a major role in the introduction of Marxist philosophy and theories to China and in their dissemination among revolutionaries in the country.

His works are now regarded as classics of Marxism in China and he is seen as one of the most influential Chinese intellectuals of the 20th century.