Charles J. Dunn (June 24, 1915 – July 30, 1995) was a British japanologist who played a critical role in establishing the field of Japanese studies within the United Kingdom.
Born in 1915, Dunn was educated at Queen Mary University of London where he earned a BA in French literature in 1936.
[2] He then worked for three years with the Special Branch of the Metropolitan Police and as a school teacher before joining the Royal Navy in 1943.
[2][1] Because of his background in foreign languages, the War Office assigned him to become a military translator and sent him to learn Japanese in an 18-month course at the SOAS University of London.
[2][1] Displaying a gift both for Japanese and teaching, he was permanently assigned to the SOAS University of London as a lecturer to military translators in training for the remainder of the war.