Fan Zhongyan 范仲淹 | |
|---|---|
 A block print portrait from Sancai Tuhui (1609) | |
| Chancellor of the Song dynasty | |
| In office 1043–1045 | |
| Monarch | Emperor Renzong |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 5 September 989 Wu County, Su Prefecture, Northern Song |
| Died | 19 June 1052 Xu Prefecture, Northern Song |
| Resting place | Yichuan County, Henan, China 34°29′32″N 112°32′53″E / 34.49222°N 112.54806°E |
| Spouse | Lady Peng (彭氏) |
| Children |
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| Parents |
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| Posthumous name | |
| Fan Zhongyan | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese | 范仲淹 | ||||||||
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| Zhu Yue | |||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 朱說 | ||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 朱说 | ||||||||
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| Fan Xiwen / Zhu Xiwen | |||||||||
| Chinese | 范希文 / 朱希文 | ||||||||
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Fan Zhongyan (5 September 989 – 19 June 1052), courtesy name Xiwen (希文), was an accomplished statesman, writer, scholar, and reformer of the northern Song dynasty.[1] After serving multiple regional posts and at the imperial court for over two decades, Fan was appointed as a vice chancellor by Emperor Renzong to lead the Qingli reforms.[2] His attitude towards official service is encapsulated by his oft-quoted line on the proper attitude of scholar-officials: "They were the first to worry the worries of all-under-Heaven, and the last to enjoy its joys".[3] Fan's philosophical, educational and political contributions continue to be influential to this day, and his writings remain a core component of the Chinese literary canon. He elevated the charitable family estate to an important institution promoting social welfare at the community level.
- ^ Zhang 2016, p. 193.
- ^ "范仲淹年谱" [A Chronicle of Fan Zhongyan]. 中国范仲淹研究会 (China Institute of Fan Zhongyan Research). Retrieved 2024-10-03.
- ^ Pines, Yuri (2012). The Everlasting Empire: The Political Culture of Ancient China and Its Imperial Legacy. Princeton: Princeton University Press. p. 76. ISBN 9780691134956.