Born in 1887 in Tainan, Lin Mao-sheng came from a well-educated family. Due to his outstanding academic performance, the church sent him to study in Japan. He graduated from Tokyo Imperial University, becoming the first person in Taiwan to obtain a Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree. Upon returning to Taiwan after his graduation, he taught at Chang Jung High School, Tainan Normal School, and Tainan Commercial High School while participating in various political and social movements and organizations, including the Taiwan Culture Association. In 1927, he went to the United States to pursue further study at Columbia University as an “oversea researcher” for the Government General of Taiwan and earned a Ph.D. degree in philosophy. Despite attempts by the school to persuade him to teach in the United States after his graduation, Lin Mao-sheng chose to return to Taiwan to contribute his knowledge because he remained deeply attached to his homeland.

After the Second World War, like many other Taiwanese people, Lin Mao-sheng experienced a change in his perception. His initial anticipation of the Nationalist government gave way to disappointment in its administration. At the celebration banquet for Japan’s surrender, Lin Mao-sheng raised his arms and exclaimed, “The era of being the masters of our own destiny has begun!”

After World War II, Lin Mao-sheng was tasked with overseeing Tamsui Middle School, Tamsui Girls’ School, and the Theological Seminary. He served as the first principal of Tamsui Middle School and, upon invitation from the president of National Taiwan University (NTU), took on the role of the acting dean for the College of Liberal Arts at NTU. Simultaneously, he was appointed by the Office of the Governor-General of Taiwan Province to serve as a committee member for the educational recruitment committee. These positions indicated his significance. Lin Mao-shen was also the president of People’s News, which fearlessly exposed the dark aspects of politics and society at the time. It unreservedly criticized the authorities, offending the administration and undermining his future.

After the 228 Incident occurred, on March 4, Lin Mao-sheng delivered a short speech at the Taipei 228 Incident Settlement Committee, calling for fair and constructive government actions. On the morning of March 11, four armed officials and two people in Zhongshan suits arrived at Lin Mao-sheng’s residence in a black sedan. They used the excuse that Lu Chih-hung, the president of NTU, wanted to have a meeting with him and “asked” Lin Mao-shen to go with them. He went missing thereafter.