Jo Gwang-jo

Jo Gwang-jo
Korean name
Hangul
조광조
Hanja
Revised RomanizationJo Gwangjo
McCune–ReischauerCho Kwangjo
Art name
Hangul
정암
Hanja
Revised RomanizationJeongam
McCune–ReischauerChŏngam
Courtesy name
Hangul
효직
Hanja
孝直
Revised RomanizationHyojik
McCune–ReischauerHyojik
Posthumous name
Hangul
문정
Hanja
Revised RomanizationMunjeong
McCune–ReischauerMunjŏng
Clan Origin
Hangul
한양
Hanja
Revised RomanizationHanyang
McCune–ReischauerHanyang

Jo Gwang-jo (Korean조광조, 23 August 1482 – 10 January 1520), also called by his art name Jeongam (정암), was a Korean Neo-Confucian scholar who pursued radical reforms during the reign of Jungjong of Joseon in the early 16th century.

He was framed with charges of factionalism by the power elite that opposed his reform measures and was sentenced to drink poison in the Third Literati Purge of 1519. He has been widely venerated as a Confucian martyr and an embodiment of "seonbi spirit" by later generations in Korea. Some historians consider him one of the most influential figures in 16th century Korea. He is known as one of the 18 Sages of Korea (동방18현) and honored as Munmyo Baehyang (문묘배향; 文廟配享).[1]

  1. ^ Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, September 15, 1604. No. 4