Baren was born Wang Renshu (Chinese: 王任叔; pinyin: Wáng Rènshū) in Fenghua, Zhejiang.
In 1923 he started to write short stories and poems, and joined the Literature Research Society.
When the anti-Japanese War broke out, Baren stayed in Shanghai to publicize anti-war culture.
He created collections of short stories including Jail, Shack, In the Decline and Martyrdom, novellas such as Vagrant Life of Ah Quei and Badge, and the novel Rebellion of Mang Xiucai.
His work on literary theory, On Literature, was heavily influenced by the ideals of anti-Soviet critics.