Yi Gyu-gyeong

Yi Gyu-gyeong
Hangul
이규경
Hanja
Revised RomanizationYi Gyu-gyeong
McCune–ReischauerYi Kyu-gyŏng
Art name
Hangul
오주 or 소운거사
Hanja
Revised RomanizationOju or Soungeosa
McCune–ReischauerOju or Soun'gŏsa
Courtesy name
Hangul
백규
Hanja
Revised RomanizationBaekgyu
McCune–ReischauerPaekkyu

Yi Gyu-gyeong (Korean이규경; Hanja李圭景; 1788 – year of death unknown) was a Silhak scholar in the Joseon period from the late 18th century to the mid-19th century who succeeded the accomplishments of Silhak and sought erudition. He was born in Jeonju and his courtesy name was Baekgyu (伯揆). His pen name is Oju (오주; 五洲) or So-un-geosa (소운거사; 嘯雲居士). His grandfather was Editor-Compiler Yi Deokmu (이덕무; 李德懋) and his father was Yi Gwanggyu (이광규; 李光葵).

Yi dedicated his life to writing his own books and reading many books from Korea and China. He was deeply interested in studying astronomy, geography, history, literature, culture, religion, paintings, calligraphy, and customs while remaining out of public office. In particular, he published Oju yeonmun jangjeon sango (Korean오주연문장전산고; Hanja五洲書種博物攷辨, Random Expatiations of Oju) which was received to be the best encyclopedia in the 19th century. Consistent with analysis and dialectics, his style of writing and academic characteristics gave birth to works of detailed scientific techniques that were distinguished from other works of the Joseon dynasty, contributing to an expansion in the scope of Silhak to natural history.