A sinologist, translator and author, Ryckmans studied law at the Katholeike Universiteit Leuven in Belgium, and became a specialist in Chinese literature, language and art during his studies in Taiwan. Ryckmans then went to Hong Kong, before finally moving to Australia, where he has worked in Asian Studies at various institutions including the Australian National University in Canberra. He was also Professor of Chinese Studies at the University of Sydney from 1987 to 1993.
Ryckmans has translated works from the Chinese, and has published numerous works about China - he was requested to use a pseudonym for the publication of Les Habits Neufs du Président Mao (1971), upon which he chose the name 'Simon Leys'. Chinese Shadows, an examination of the Maoist period in China (originally published in French as Ombres Chinoises), is regarded as Ryckmans's most influential work.
Ryckmans has won literary awards under his pseudonym. In 2012, The Hall of Uselessness (published under the name Simon Leys) was shortlisted for the 2012 Victorian Premier's Award, Nettie Palmer Prize for Nonfiction.
Ryckmans is the father of Jeanne Ryckmans.
