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Fan Zhongyan

Fan Zhongyan
范仲淹
A block print portrait from Sancai Tuhui (1609)
Chancellor of the Song dynasty
In office
1043–1045
MonarchEmperor Renzong
Personal details
Born5 September 989
Wu County, Su Prefecture, Northern Song
Died19 June 1052(1052-06-19) (aged 62)
Xu Prefecture, Northern Song
Resting placeYichuan County, Henan, China
34°29′32″N 112°32′53″E / 34.49222°N 112.54806°E / 34.49222; 112.54806
SpouseLady Peng (彭氏)
Children
  • Fan Chunyou (范純祐)
  • Fan Chunren (范純仁)
  • Fan Chunli (范純禮)
  • Fan Chuncui (范純粹)
  • 3 daughters
Parents
  • Fan Yong (范墉) (father)
  • Lady Xie (謝氏) (mother)
Posthumous name
Fan Zhongyan
Chinese
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinFàn Zhòngyān
Wade–GilesFan4 Chung4-yen1
Zhu Yue
Traditional Chinese
Simplified Chinese
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinZhū Yuè
Fan Xiwen / Zhu Xiwen
Chinese /
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinFàn Xīwén / Zhū Xīwén

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] Although short-lived, the Qingli reforms and Fan Zhongyan's ideas inspired later reformers, most notably Wang Anshi. Fan's 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 were exemplar of a Confucian scholar dedicated to public service. He was considered a mentor and leader of the lettered class and a pilot in political reforms. He advocated for the classical prose movement and is well-known for his ci poetry. He elevated the charitable family estate to an important institution promoting social welfare at the community level.

  1. ^ Zhang 2016, p. 193.
  2. ^ "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.
  3. ^ Pines, Yuri (2012). The Everlasting Empire: The Political Culture of Ancient China and Its Imperial Legacy. Princeton: Princeton University Press. p. 76. ISBN 9780691134956.

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ཧྥན་ཀྲུང་ཡན། BO فان ژۆنگیان CKB Fan Zhongyan German Fan Zhongyan French Fan Zhongyan ID Fan Zhongyan Italian 范仲淹 Japanese 범중엄 Korean Fan Zhongyan NB Fan Zhongyan OC

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