''Jinshi'' () was the highest and final degree in the

imperial examination The imperial examination (; lit. "subject recommendation") refers to a civil-service examination system in Imperial China, administered for the purpose of selecting candidates for the state bureaucracy. The concept of choosing bureaucrats by ...

Imperial China The earliest known written records of the history of China date from as early as 1250 BC, from the Shang dynasty (c. 1600–1046 BC), during the reign of king Wu Ding. Ancient historical texts such as the '' Book of Documents'' (early chapte ...

. The examination was usually taken in the imperial capital in the palace, and was also called the Metropolitan Exam. Recipients are sometimes referred to in English-language sources as Imperial Scholars. The ''jinshi'' degree was first created after the institutionalization of the civil service exam. Initially it had been "for six categories" but was later consolidated into a single degree. This system first appeared during the

Han Dynasty The Han dynasty (, ; ) was an imperial dynasty of China (202 BC – 9 AD, 25–220 AD), established by Liu Bang (Emperor Gao) and ruled by the House of Liu. The dynasty was preceded by the short-lived Qin dynasty (221–207 BC) and a warr ...

(206 BC – 220 AD). Throughout the

Tang Dynasty The Tang dynasty (, ; zh, t= ), or Tang Empire, was an Dynasties in Chinese history, imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 618 to 907 AD, with an Zhou dynasty (690–705), interregnum between 690 and 705. It was preceded by the Sui dyn ...

, every year around one to two percent of test takers would obtain a ''jinshi'' title out of a total of one to two thousand test takers. The numbers of ''Jinshi'' degrees given out were increased in the

Song Dynasty The Song dynasty (; ; 960–1279) was an imperial dynasty of China that began in 960 and lasted until 1279. The dynasty was founded by Emperor Taizu of Song following his usurpation of the throne of the Later Zhou. The Song conquered the rest ...

, and the examinations were given every three years. Most senior officials of the Song Dynasty were ''jinshi'' holders. The

Ming Dynasty The Ming dynasty (), officially the Great Ming, was an Dynasties in Chinese history, imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1368 to 1644 following the collapse of the Mongol Empire, Mongol-led Yuan dynasty. The Ming dynasty was the last ort ...

resumed the civil-service exam after its occurrence became more irregular in the

Yuan Dynasty The Yuan dynasty (), officially the Great Yuan (; xng, , , literally "Great Yuan State"), was a Mongol-led imperial dynasty of China and a successor state to the Mongol Empire after its division. It was established by Kublai, the fifth ...

. After the reign of the

Emperor Yingzong of Ming Emperor Yingzong of Ming (; 29 November 1427 – 23 February 1464), personal name Zhu Qizhen (), was the sixth and eighth Emperor of the Ming dynasty. He ascended the throne as the Zhengtong Emperor () in 1435, but was forced to abdicate in ...

, it became the rule that only jinshi holders could enter the Hanlin Academy. On average around 89 ''jinshi'' per year were conferred. During the

Qing dynasty The Qing dynasty ( ), officially the Great Qing,, was a Manchu-led imperial dynasty of China and the last orthodox dynasty in Chinese history. It emerged from the Later Jin dynasty founded by the Jianzhou Jurchens, a Tungusic-speak ...

around 102 ''jinshi'' degrees were given a year. The highest scoring ''jinshi'' in the country was known as the ''

zhuangyuan ''Zhuangyuan'', or ''trạng nguyên'' in Vietnamese, variously translated into English as principal graduate, primus, or optimus, was the title given to the scholar who achieved the highest score on highest level of the Imperial examination, (i ...

'', a term that survives today as a high scoring ''

gaokao The National College Entrance Examination (NCEE), commonly known as the gaokao (), is a standardized college entrance exam held annually in mainland China. It is required for entrance into almost all higher education institutions at the und ...

'' test taker or just someone who is very good at a skill.

Subtypes of jinshi recipients

* ''Jinshi Jidi'' ( 進士及第, lit. "distinguished ''jinshi''"), graduates ranked first class in the court exam, usually only the top three individuals were qualified for this title. ** ''

Zhuangyuan ''Zhuangyuan'', or ''trạng nguyên'' in Vietnamese, variously translated into English as principal graduate, primus, or optimus, was the title given to the scholar who achieved the highest score on highest level of the Imperial examination, (i ...

'' ( 狀元, lit. "top thesis author"), the ''jinshi'' who ranked first overall nationwide. ** ''Bangyan'' ( 榜眼, lit. "eyes positioned alongside"), the ''jinshi'' who ranked second overall just below ''zhuangyuan''. ** ''Tanhua'' ( 探花, lit. "flower snatcher"), the ''jinshi'' ranked third overall. * ''Jinshi Chushen'' ( 進士出身, lit. "''jinshi'' background"), the graduates who ranked second class in court exam, ranking immediately after the ''tanhua''. * ''Tong Jinshi Chushen'' ( 同進士出身, lit. "along with ''jinshi'' background"), graduates ranked third class in the court exam.

Notable ''jinshi'' recipients by year

Tang Dynasty

Chen Zi'ang Chen Zi'ang (, 661 (or 656)–702), courtesy name Boyu (), was a Chinese poet of the Tang dynasty. He was important in helping to bring into being the type of poetry which is considered to be characteristically "Tang". Dissatisfied with the c ...

, (c. 685) poet who was important in helping to bring into being the type of poetry which is considered to be characteristically "

Tang Tang or TANG most often refers to: * Tang dynasty * Tang (drink mix) Tang or TANG may also refer to: Chinese states and dynasties * Jin (Chinese state) (11th century – 376 BC), a state during the Spring and Autumn period, called Tang (唐) b ...

" *

Wang Changling Wang Changling (; 698–756) was a major Tang dynasty poet. His courtesy name was Shaobo (). He was originally from Taiyuan in present-day Shanxi province, according to the editors of the ''Three Hundred Tang Poems'', although other sources cl ...

(7??) *

Meng Jiao Meng Jiao (751–814) was a Chinese poet during the Tang Dynasty. Two of his poems have been collected in the popular anthology ''Three Hundred Tang Poems''. Meng was the oldest of the Mid-Tang poets and is noted for the unusual forcefulness ...

(7??) *

Lu Lun Lu Lun (, 739–799) was a Chinese poet of the Middle Tang dynasty, with six of his poems being included in the famous anthology ''Three Hundred Tang Poems'', as well as being mentioned in one poem, by Sikong Shu, which was translated by Witter B ...

(7??) *

Yan Zhenqing Yan Zhenqing (; 709–785) was a Chinese calligrapher, military general, and politician. He was a leading Chinese calligrapher and a loyal governor of the Tang dynasty. His artistic accomplishment in Chinese calligraphy is equal to that of the ...

(734), famed calligrapher *

Cen Shen Cen Shen or Cen Can (), 715–770, was one of the great Chinese poets of the Tang dynasty. His poems were included in the Three Hundred Poems anthology. Name He is also called Cen Jiazhou (). During the reign of Emperor Suzong he was made gove ...

(744) *

Liu Changqing Liu Changqing (; 709–785), courtesy name Wenfang () was a Chinese poet and politician during the Tang dynasty. Eleven of his poems were collected in the popular anthology ''Three Hundred Tang Poems''. Biography Liu Changqing was born around e ...

(750s) *

Yuan Jie Yuan Jie (719/723–772) was a Chinese poet and man of letters of the mid-Tang period. His courtesy name was Cishan, and he had several art names (see below). He attained a ''jinshi'' degree in the imperial examination in 754, and served in s ...

(754) *

Han Hong (poet) Han Hong (dates unknown, but fl. 8th century) was a Chinese poet of the mid-Tang period. His courtesy name was Junping. He hailed from Nanyang, and attained a ''jinshi'' degree in the imperial examination in 754, and served in several governmen ...

(754) *

Ouyang Zhan Ouyang Zhan (; 758–801;Hong, p. 34. courtesy name Xingzhou 行周) was a Chinese poet and politician of the late Tang dynasty. The account of his death from grief for a deceased lover gained great popularity in ninth-century China. Life Ouyang ...

(792) *

Liu Yuxi Liu Yuxi ( Wade-Giles: Liu Yü-hsi; ; 772–842) was a Chinese poet, philosopher, and essayist, active during the Tang dynasty. Biography Family background and education His ancestors were Xiongnu nomadic people. The putative ‘seventh generat ...

(793) *

Li Ao (philosopher) Li Ao () (772–841), courtesy name Xizhi (), was Chinese philosopher and prose writer of the Tang Dynasty. Biography Li was born in present-day Tianshui, Gansu, but some accounts relate he was from Zhao, Hebei. After achieving the degree of J ...

(798) * Cao Que (803) *

Li Guyan Li Guyan (李固言), courtesy name Zhongshu (仲樞), was an official of the Chinese Tang dynasty, serving two terms as chancellor during the reign of Emperor Wenzong. Background and early career It is not clear when Li Guyan was born.The Chin ...

(812) *

Ma Zhi Ma Zhi (馬植) (? - 857), courtesy name Cunzhi (存之), was an official of the Chinese Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Xuānzong. Background and early career It is not known when Ma Zhi was born. It is known ...

(819) * Xiahou Zi (826) * Xiao Fang (827) *

Du Mu Du Mu (; 803–852) was a Chinese calligrapher, poet, and politician who lived during the late Tang dynasty. His courtesy name was Muzhi (), and art name Fanchuan (). He is best known for his lyrical and romantic quatrains. Regarded as a maj ...

(828) * Xiao Qing (8??) * Wei Cong (8??) * Yu Cong (8??) *

Song Shenxi Song Shenxi () (died August 18, 833 Academia Sinicabr>Chinese-Western Calendar Converter.), courtesy name Qingchen (), was an official of the Chinese Tang Dynasty, serving briefly as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Wenzong. He was most ...

(8??) *

Lu Guangqi Lu Guangqi (盧光啟) (died March 6, 903''Zizhi Tongjian'', vol. 264.Academia Sinicabr>Chinese-Western Calendar Converter), courtesy name Zizhong (子忠), was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving briefly as chancellor from 90 ...

(8??) *

Sun Wo Sun Wo (), courtesy name Longguang (龍光), formally the Marquess of Le'an (樂安侯), was an official of the Chinese Tang dynasty, serving as a chancellor from 895 to 897 during the reign of Emperor Zhaozong. Background It is not known whe ...

(8??) * Pei Zhi (8??) *

Wang Pu (Tang dynasty) Wang Pu (王溥) (died July 5, 905''Zizhi Tongjian'', vol. 265. Academia Sinicabr>Chinese-Western Calendar Converter), courtesy name Derun (德潤), was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor from 901 to 903, duri ...

(8??) *

Pei Tan (9th-century Tang chancellor) Pei Tan (裴坦) (died June 25, 874 Academia Sinicabr>Chinese-Western Calendar Converter''Zizhi Tongjian'', vol. 252.), courtesy name Zhijin (知進), was an official of the Chinese Tang Dynasty, serving briefly as a chancellor during the reign ...

(8??) * Wei Fu (830) *

Du Shenquan Du Shenquan (杜審權), courtesy name Yinheng (殷衡), formally Duke De of Xiangyang (襄陽德公), was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Yizong. (833-873) Background It is n ...

(833-873) * Cui Yanzhao (849) *

Yu Wuling Yu Wuling (810–?) was a Chinese poet of the late Tang dynasty. His birth name was Yu Ye; ''Wuling'' was his courtesy name. He attained a ''jinshi'' degree in the imperial examination, but gave up his position in order to wander around the ...

(85?) * Wang Hui (Tang dynasty) (858) *

Xiao Gou Xiao Gou () (died April 6, 887Academia Sinicabr>Chinese-Western Calendar Converter''New Book of Tang''vol. 63.), courtesy name Desheng (得聖), was an official of the Chinese Tang dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of the Emperor X ...

(864) *

Pi Rixiu Pi Rixiu (; ca. 834 – 883) was a Tang dynasty poet. His courtesy names were Yishao () and Ximei (), and he wrote under the pen name Lumenzi (). Pi was a contemporary of poet Lu Guimeng; these two poets are often referred to as Pi-Lu. Pi was bor ...

(867) *

Pei Shu Pei Shu (裴樞) (841'' Old Book of Tang'', vol. 113.-July 5, 905''Zizhi Tongjian'', vol. 265. Academia Sinicabr>Chinese-Western Calendar Converter), courtesy name Jisheng (紀聖)'' New Book of Tang'', vol. 140. or Huasheng (化聖),

(871) * Yang She (875) *

Ni Shu Ni Shu (), courtesy name Mengxi (), was an official of the Chinese Tang dynasty and the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period state Southern Han, serving as a chancellor during Southern Han. Biography Early life It is not known when Ni Shu ...

(877) * Xue Yiju (87?) * Zhao Guangyin (891) * Shen Song (895) * Wang Dingbao (900) * Ma Yinsun (9??) *

Cui Xie Cui Xie (崔協) (died April 9, 929''Zizhi Tongjian'', vol. 276.Academia Sinica Chinese-Western Ca ...

(???) * Liu Kai (Song dynasty) (973)

Song Dynasty

Song Di (Fugu) Song Di () (c. 1015 – c. 1080), courtesy name Fugu, was a minor government official, writer, and a painter of the Chinese painting tradition. He was one of three brothers, and part of the Song clan which had served in government offices for s ...

(10??) *

Bao Zheng Bao Zheng (; 5 March 999 – 3 July 1062), commonly known as Bao Gong (), was a Chinese politician during the reign of Emperor Renzong in China's Song Dynasty. During his twenty-five years in civil service, Bao consistently demonstrated extr ...

(1028) * Cai Xiang (1030) * Ouyang Xiu (1030) * Chen Yuyi (1113) *

Qin Hui Qin Hui or Qin Kuai (January 17, 1090 – November 18, 1155) was a Chinese politician. He was a Chancellor of the Song dynasty in Chinese history. He was a contemporary of Yue Fei during the reign of Emperor Gaozong of Song. Modern historian ...

(1115) *

Yang Wanli Yang Wanli (or Yang Wan-Li) (楊萬里) (1127–1206), Courtesy name Yanxiu (延秀), was a Chinese poet and politician, born in Jishui, Jizhou (today Jishui County, Jiangxi). He was one of the "four masters" of Southern Song Dynasty poetry. Wr ...

(1154) *

Lu Zhi (poet) Lu Zhi (, ca. 1243—1315) was Chinese writer of the Yuan dynasty. His courtesy name was Chudao () and his pen name was Shuzhai (). He was born in modern Zhuozhou, Hebei, although some accounts claim he was from modern Yongjia, Zhejiang. Lu rec ...

(1269)

Yuan dynasty

Liu Bowen Liu Ji (1 July 1311 – 16 May 1375),Jiang, Yonglin. Jiang Yonglin. 005(2005). The Great Ming Code: 大明律. University of Washington Press. , 9780295984490. Page xxxv. The source is used to cover the year only. courtesy name Bowen, better kn ...

(c.1350)

Ming dynasty

Yu Qian Yu Qian (; 1398–1457), courtesy name Tingyi, art name Jie'an, was a Chinese official who served under the Ming dynasty. Biography Yu Qian was born in Qiantang County, Hangzhou, Zhejiang. He started his career in the Ming civil service after o ...

(1421) *

Han Yong (Ming dynasty) Han Yong () (1422–1478) was a Chinese politician of the Ming dynasty. He was born in what is now Suzhou, Jiangsu Province. He was the 2nd Viceroy of Liangguang, covering the provinces of Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan. Biography Han Yong o ...

(1422) * Yang Tinghe (1478) *

Xu Pu Xu Pu (, 14291499) was a Nine Ministers, minister during the reign of the Ming dynasty Hongzhi Emperor. Biography Xu Pu was a scholar in the palace, and successfully graduated after the highest Imperial examination as a ''jinshi'' (), or "chosen ...

(1454) *

Lu Rong Lu Rong (; 1436–1494) was a Chinese scholar. He is also known under the courtesy name Wenliang (文量) and the pseudonym Shizhai (式斋). He earned his ''jinshi ''Jinshi'' () was the highest and final degree in the imperial examin ...

(1466) *

Wang Yangming Wang Shouren (, 26 October 1472 – 9 January 1529), courtesy name Bo'an (), art name Yangmingzi (), usually referred to as Wang Yangming (), was a Chinese calligrapher, general, philosopher, politician, and writer during the Ming dynasty ...

(1499) *

Yan Song Yan Song (; 1480–1567), courtesy name Weizhong (惟中), pseudonym Jiexi (介溪), was a Chinese politician and regent of the Ming dynasty. He was notorious for being corrupt and for dominating the Ming government for two decades as Grand Sec ...

(1505) *

Zhu Wan Zhu Wan (; September 29, 1494 – January 2, 1550), courtesy name Zichun () and art name Qiuya (), was a Chinese general of the Ming dynasty. He was known for his uncompromising stance against the Jiajing wokou pirates (so named because they ra ...

(1521) *

Xu Jie (Ming dynasty) Xu Jie (; 1512–1578) courtesy name Zisheng (), was a Chinese politician of the Ming dynasty. Biography Early life Xu Jie was born in Xuanping, Zhejiang in 1503(sixteenth year of Hongzhi), while his father was working there as the assistant ...

(1523) *

Luo Hongxian Luo Hongxian (; 1504 – 1564) was a Ming dynasty Chinese cartographer. He also studied astronomy, geography, irrigation methods, military affairs and mathematics. After passing the Imperial Examinations with the rank of ''jinshi'' in 1529, Lu ...

(1529) *

Zhao Wenhua Zhao Wenhua (; died 1557) was a Chinese public official during the reign of the Ming dynasty's Jiajing Emperor. After initial setbacks in his career, Zhao became a close confidant to Grand Secretary Yan Song, eventually becoming a vice minister. ...

(1529) *

Qian Dehong Qian Dehong () was a notable Chinese philosopher, writer, and educator during the mid-late Ming Dynasty. Biography Qian was born in Yuyao, Shaoxing Fu (紹興府/绍兴府; current Ningbo), Zhejiang Province. His original name was Kuan (宽), and ...

(1532) * Fan Qin (1532) *

Gao Gong Gao Gong (; 19 January 1513 – 4 August 1578) courtesy name Suqing (), art name Zhongxuan (), was a Chinese politician of the Ming dynasty. Gao was born in Xinzheng, Henan. He became jinshi in 1541, then held a post at Hanlin Academy. Since 1 ...

(1541) *

Liang Youyu Liang Youyu (1521–1556) was a Ming dynasty scholar. A native of Shunde (顺德) in Guangdong province, he completed the Jinshi (进士) level of the Imperial Examination The imperial examination (; lit. "subject recommendation") refers to ...

(1550) *

Xu Zhongxing Xu Zhongxing (; 1517 – 1578) was a Chinese scholar-official of the Ming Dynasty. He was one of the Latter Seven Masters. He earned the Jinshi degree in 1550. Later he was appointed as Xingbu Zhushi (刑部主事), and became Buzhengshi (布政� ...

(1550) *

Gui Youguang Gui Youguang (; 1507–1571) was a Chinese writer of Ming Dynasty. His courtesy name was Xifu () and his art name was Zhenchuan (),'' Britannica Kokusai Dai-Hyakkajiten'' article "Gui You-guang" (帰有光, ''Ki Yūkō'' in Japanese). Shogakukan. ...

, (1565) nine attempts *

Tang Xianzu Tang Xianzu (; September 24, 1550 – July 29, 1616), courtesy name Yireng (), was a Chinese playwright of the Ming Dynasty. Biography Tang was a native of Linchuan, Jiangxi and his career as an official consisted principally of low-leve ...

, ( 1571) playwright and government official *

Li Shida Li Shida (, ), was a Chinese painter of the Ming dynasty. A native of Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, he obtained the position of a ''jinshi'' in the imperial examination in 1574 during the reign of the Wanli Emperor The Wanli Emperor (; 4 Septe ...

(1574) * Li Sancai (1574) * Zang Maoxun (1580) *

Ye Xianggao Ye Xianggao (; 1559–1627) was a late Ming dynasty official who served in the Grand Secretariat under the Wanli Emperor from 1607 to 1614 and under the Tianqi Emperor from 1621 to 1624. He played an important role in staving off the Palace's pe ...

(1583) *

Zhu Guozhen (Ming dynasty) Zhu Guozhen (; 1557–1632) was a Chinese historian, politician, and writer of the Ming dynasty. Biography He was born in 1557. He was jinshi in the imperial examination in 1589 and was a Senior Grand Secretary of the Tianqi Emperor. Zhu was the ...

(1589) *

Hong Chengchou Hong Chengchou (; 1593–1665), courtesy name Yanyan and art name Hengjiu, was a Chinese official who served under the Ming and Qing dynasties. He was born in present-day Liangshan Village, Yingdu Town, Fujian Province, China. After obtaining t ...

(1616) *

Ruan Dacheng Ruan may refer to: Buildings *Ruan Center, office building in Des Moines, Iowa *John Ruan House, historic mansion in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Places *Ruan, County Clare, Ireland *Ruan, Loiret, France *Mont Ruan, Switzerland *Ruan Major and Ru ...

(1616) *

Ni Yuanlu Ni Yuanlu (; ca. 1593–1644) was a high-ranking official, calligrapher, and painter during the Ming dynasty of Chinese history. Ni was born in Shangyu in the Zhejiang province. His courtesy name was "Yuru" (玉汝) and his art name was "Hongbao" ...

(1621) *

Shi Kefa Shi Kefa (4 February 1601 – 20 May 1645), courtesy names Xianzhi and Daolin, was a government official and calligrapher who lived in the late Ming dynasty. He was born in Xiangfu (祥符; present-day Kaifeng, Henan) and claimed ancestry from D ...

(1628) * Sun Chuanting (1619) *

Liu Tong Liu Tong (, c. 1593–1637) was a Chinese politician and writer from Macheng in Huanggang. He was a figure in the Ming Dynasty's Jingling school () of Chinese prose literature in contrast to the Gongan school () and the well known Yuan Hongdao ...

(1634) *

Zhou Lianggong Zhou Lianggong (, 1612–1672) was a Chinese poet, calligrapher, essayist, and art historian who was born in Kaifeng and had long family ties to Nanjing. He passed his Jinshi degree in 1640, becoming a magistrate in Weixian, Shandong where he ...

, (1640) artist, calligrapher, and government official *

Zhao Yingcheng Zhao Yingcheng ( Hebrew name: מֹשֶׁה בֶּן־אַבְרָהָם, ''Moshe ben Avraham''; Traditional Chinese: 趙映乘;Michael Pollack, "The Jews of Kaifeng", p. 4 born 1619, died after 1663) was a Chinese philosopher and politician during ...

, (1646) scholar and mandarin of Jewish faith * Han Weiji (1664)

Qing dynasty

Jiang Tingxi Jiang Tingxi (, 1669–1732Barnhart: Page 379.), courtesy name Yangsun (), was a Chinese painter, and an editor of the encyclopedia ''Gujin Tushu Jicheng'' (''Complete Collection of Ancient and Modern Writings and Charts''). Jiang was born i ...

(16??) * Wei Yijie (1646) * Chen Tingjing (1658), politician and scholar, tutor to the

Kangxi Emperor The Kangxi Emperor (4 May 1654– 20 December 1722), also known by his temple name Emperor Shengzu of Qing, born Xuanye, was the third emperor of the Qing dynasty, and the second Qing emperor to rule over China proper, reigning from 1661 to 1 ...

and editor of the

Kangxi Dictionary The ''Kangxi Dictionary'' ( (Compendium of standard characters from the Kangxi period), published in 1716, was the most authoritative dictionary of Chinese characters from the 18th century through the early 20th. The Kangxi Emperor of the Qing ...

Guwen Guanzhi ''Guwen Guanzhi'' () is an anthology of essays written in literary Chinese. It was first published during the Qing dynasty in 1695. It comprises more than two hundred works from the Warring States period to the Ming dynasty. Today the anthology ...

(1658) *

Chen Menglei Chen Menglei (; 1650-1741) was a Qing dynasty scholar-writer known for being the chief editor, compiler, and author of the Gujin Tushu Jicheng Chinese encyclopedia. In 1670, he became a Jinshi. Chen Menglei conducted research for over 50 years, c ...

(1670) *

Li Guangdi Li Guangdi (; 1642–1718), also known by his courtesy name Jinqing () and sobriquet Hou'an (), was a Chinese neo-Confucianist court official during the reign of the Kangxi Emperor of the Qing dynasty. Biography Li was a native of An-khoe Coun ...

(1670) *

Nian Gengyao Nian Gengyao (1679 – January 13, 1726), courtesy name Lianggong, was a Chinese military commander of the Qing dynasty. He was born a member of the Han Chinese Bordered Yellow Banner and had extensive military experience on the western frontie ...

(1700) *

Zhang Tingyu Zhang Tingyu (, October 29, 1672 – May 19, 1755) was a Han Chinese politician and historian who lived in the Qing dynasty. Biography Zhang Tingyu was born in Tongcheng in Anhui province. In 1700, he obtained a ''jinshi'' position in the ...

(1700), politician and historian, one of the first members of the

Grand Council (Qing dynasty) The Grand Council or ''Junji Chu'' (; Manchu: ''coohai nashūn i ba''; literally, "Office of Military Secrets"), officially the ''Banli Junji Shiwu Chu'' (; "Office for the Handling of Confidential Military Affairs"), was an important policy-ma ...

Akdun Akdun (; Manchu: ''Akdun''; Styled: Lixuan, 立軒) (May 4, 1685- February 22, 1756) was an official of the Qing dynasty. He was a member of the Janggiya (章佳) clan and of the Manchu Plain Blue Banner. He was the father of the Qing dynasty o ...

(1709) * Zhang Zhao (1709) * Sun Jiagan (1713) (, 1683–1753) officeholder of ''Libu Shilang'',''Xingbu Shangshu'' by , and later to Libu Shangshu in 1738.Histories: Sun Jiagan dies
. Retrieved 9 Nov 2013. After holding various posts, in 1741 Sun became

Viceroy of Huguang The Viceroy of Huguang, fully referred to in Chinese as the Governor-General of Hubei and Hunan Provinces and the Surrounding Areas; Overseeing Military Affairs, Food Production; Director of Civil Affairs, was one of eight regional Viceroys in C ...

, where he introduced the system of subsidized chiefs, in order to keep the aborigines under control. *

Liu Tongxun Liu Tongxun (; 1698–1773) was a politician in Qing dynasty. He was one of relatively few ethnically Han Grand Secretariat of the Qianlong Emperor's reign. He has served for the Qing government for more than 40 years with integrity, and dares to ...

(1724) * Yuan Mei (1739) * Wei Yijie (1646) (魏裔介; 1616 – 1686) a prominent

Han Chinese The Han Chinese () or Han people (), are an East Asian ethnic group native to China. They constitute the world's largest ethnic group, making up about 18% of the global population and consisting of various subgroups speaking distinctive va ...

scholar and official serving in the early

Qing Dynasty The Qing dynasty ( ), officially the Great Qing,, was a Manchu-led imperial dynasty of China and the last orthodox dynasty in Chinese history. It emerged from the Later Jin dynasty founded by the Jianzhou Jurchens, a Tungusic-speak ...

, during the rules of the Shunzhi Emperor,

Oboi Oboi (Manchu: , Mölendorff: Oboi; ) (c. 1610–1669) was a prominent Manchu military commander and courtier who served in various military and administrative posts under three successive emperors of the early Qing dynasty. Born to the Guwalg ...

, and the Kangxi Emperor and was known for his focus and advocacy of the reformation the

Examination system A standardized test is a test that is administered and scored in a consistent, or "standard", manner. Standardized tests are designed in such a way that the questions and interpretations are consistent and are administered and scored in a predete ...

Ji Yun Ji Yun (; 1724–1805), also known as Ji Xiaolan () or Ji Chunfan () was a Chinese philosopher, politician, and writer. He was an influential scholar of Qing dynasty China and many anecdotes have been recorded about him. Ji Yun left behind a bo ...

(1754) * Sun Shiyi (1761) *

Yao Nai Yao Nai (姚鼐, pinyin: Yáo Nài; 1731–1815) was a scholar of the Qing Dynasty. Born in Tongcheng (), Anhui province, Yao Nai achieved the degree of Jinshi in 1763, and was appointed to the Hanlin Academy (). Later he worked as official of se ...

(1763) * Sun Yuting (1775) *

Ruan Yuan Ruan Yuan (; 1764–1849), courtesy name Yuntai (云台), was a Chinese historian, politician, and writer of the Qing Dynasty who was the most prominent Chinese scholar during the first half of the 19th century. He won the ''jinshi'' degree i ...

(1789) *

Gao E (writer) Gao E (, c. 1738c. 1815) was a Qing dynasty Chinese scholar, writer, and editor. He attained the degree of '' juren'' in 1788 and ''jinshi'' in 1795. A Han Chinese who belonged to the Bordered Yellow Banner, he became a Fellow of the Hanlin Acad ...

(1795) *

Lu Kun Lu Kun (17721835; courtesy name Jingzhi, ''hao'' Houshan 厚山), was a Chinese politician of the Qing dynasty. He was a student of politician and scholar Ruan Yuan. He was born in Zhuozhou Prefecture (涿州 modern day Zhuozhou City, Hebei pro ...

(1799) *

Bao Shichen Bao Shichen (; 1775—1855) was a calligrapher and reformist scholar in the early nineteenth century. Under the Qing administration, Bao made numerous important suggestions regarding the areas of military affairs, laws and politics, the grain tribu ...

(1808) *

Cheng Enze Cheng Enze (Chinese:程恩泽/程恩澤, 1785–1837) was a Chinese scholar and poet of late Qing Dynasty. Cheng studied with Ling Tingkan, and obtained Jinshi in 1811, later became a compiler of Hanlin Academy () and at last was promoted as Hub ...

(1811) *

Lin Zexu Lin Zexu (30 August 1785 – 22 November 1850), courtesy name Yuanfu, was a Chinese political philosopher and politician. He was the head of states (Viceroy), Governor General, scholar-official, and under the Daoguang Emperor of the Qing dynas ...

(1811) *

Ge Yunfei Ge Yunfei (, 1789–1841) was a Chinese general of the Qing dynasty. He served in the First Opium War and died during the British capture of Chusan. Born in a military family in the Shanyin county of Zhejiang, Ge Yunfei learned kung fu from hi ...

(1823) * Huang Juezi (1823) * Luo Bingzhang (1832) *

Luo Zundian Luo Zundian (; died March 19, 1860) was a Chinese provincial governor who ended several rebellions, but was forced to commit suicide in the second rout of the Jiangnan Battalion in Hangzhou when the Taiping forces conquered the city. Life Luo ...

(1835) *

Zeng Guofan Zeng Guofan, Marquis Yiyong (; 26 November 1811 – 12 March 1872), birth name Zeng Zicheng, courtesy name Bohan, was a Chinese statesman and military general of the late Qing dynasty. He is best known for raising and organizing the Xiang A ...

(1838) *

Feng Guifen Feng Guifen (; 1809 – May 28, 1874,Encyclopædia Britannica Online' courtesy name Linyi (), art name Jingting (), later art name Dengweishanren (), jinshi degree 1840) was a scholar during the Qing Dynasty. He was also a teacher, and a governmen ...

(1840) * Jiang Zhongyuan (1844) (), courtesy name Changrui, () was a scholar and soldier from Hunan who fought for the Qing and against the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom during the Taiping Rebellion. *

Wenxiang Wenxiang (, ; born October 16, 1818, in Liaoyang, died May 26, 1876) was an ethnic Manchu statesman of the Qing dynasty of China. Wenxiang hailed from the Gūwalgiya clan and belonged to the Plain Red Banner in the Eight Banners in Mukden. In 1 ...

(1845) * Xue Fucheng (1845) *

Ma Xinyi Ma Xinyi (Xiao'erjing: , ; Styled and variably 穀三; Posthumous title: 端敏公 (Duke Duanmin); November 3, 1821–August 23, 1870) was an eminent Hui Muslim official and a military general of the late Qing Dynasty in China. Along with o ...

(1847) *

Li Hongzhang Li Hongzhang, Marquess Suyi ( zh, t=李鴻章; also Li Hung-chang; 15 February 1823 – 7 November 1901) was a Chinese politician, general and diplomat of the late Qing dynasty. He quelled several major rebellions and served in important ...

(1847) *

Tan Zhonglin Tan Zhonglin (, 1822–1905) was a Qing dynasty scholar-official. He was born in Gaolong, Chaling County, Hunan Province. His courtesy name was Wenqing (). He was the father of Tan Yankai, a politician of the Republic of China. Biography In 1856 ...

(1856) * Lao Chongguang (18??) *

Liu Bingzhang Liu Bingzhang (; May 20, 1826 – August 23, 1905) was a Qing dynasty Chinese scholar-official and general. He served as Governor of Jiangxi and Zhejiang provinces and Viceroy of Sichuan. He was a commander in the civil war against the Taiping Re ...

(1860) *

Cuigiya Lianyuan Lianyuan (; , 1838–11 August 1900) was a Manchu Chinese statesman in the late Qing dynasty of China. His courtesy name was Xianheng (仙蘅). Lianyuan came from the Cuigiya clan of Haixi Jurchens. He also belonged to the Bordered Red Banner ( ...

(1868) *

Xu Jingcheng Xu Jingcheng (; 1845 – 28 July 1900) was a Chinese diplomat and Qing politician supportive of the Hundred Days' Reform. He was envoy to Belgium, France, Italy, Russia, Austria, the Netherlands, and Germany for the Qing imperial court and ...

(1868) *

Qu Hongji Qu Hongji (; 1850–1918), style name Zijiu (), and art name Zhi'an (), was a politician of the Chinese Qing Dynasty who served in several ministerial positions, most notably being the first Minister of Foreign Affairs. Biography Qu Hongji was b ...

(1871) *

Zhao Erxun Zhao Erxun (23 May 1844 – 3 September 1927), courtesy name Cishan, art name Wubu, was a Chinese political and military officeholder who lived in the late Qing dynasty. He served in numerous high-ranking positions under the Qing government, in ...

(1874) *

Zuo Zongtang Zuo Zongtang, Marquis Kejing ( also spelled Tso Tsung-t'ang; ; November 10, 1812 – September 5, 1885), sometimes referred to as General Tso, was a Chinese statesman and military leader of the late Qing dynasty. Born in Xiangyin County ...

(1875), granted an "honorary ''jinshi''" by the

Guangxu Emperor The Guangxu Emperor (14 August 1871 – 14 November 1908), personal name Zaitian, was the tenth Emperor of the Qing dynasty, and the ninth Qing emperor to rule over China proper. His reign lasted from 1875 to 1908, but in practice he ruled, wi ...

for his military achievements * Shen Jiaben (1883) *

Liang Qichao Liang Qichao (Chinese: 梁啓超 ; Wade-Giles: ''Liang2 Chʻi3-chʻao1''; Yale: ''Lèuhng Kái-chīu'') (February 23, 1873 – January 19, 1929) was a Chinese politician, social and political activist, journalist, and intellectual. His thou ...

(1890) *

Huang Xing Huang Xing or Huang Hsing (; 25 October 1874 – 31 October 1916) was a Chinese revolutionary leader and politician, and the first commander-in-chief of the Republic of China. As one of the founders of the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Republic o ...

(1893) * Wu Leichuan (1898) *

Xu Qian Xu Qian or George Hsu (; June 15, 1871 – September 26, 1940) was a Chinese politician and jurist. He made important contribution to the judicial system of modern China. Originated from She County of Anhui province and born in Nanchang of Jia ...

(1903) *

Theodone C. Hu Theodone C. Hu (J. C. Hu, Dongchao Hu, or Zhenting Hu) (1872–1957) was a Chinese civil engineer, librarian, and writer. He worked on many of the early railroads in China. Birth and family background Theodone C. Hu was born in 1872 in Huangpu ...

(1906)

People who failed ''jinshi'' exams

Wu Cheng (philosopher) Wú Chéng or Wu Ch'eng (1249 – 1333) (), courtesy names Yòuqīng () and Bóqīng (), studio names Yīwúshānrén () and Caolu Xiansheng (草廬先生; lit. "Mr. Grass Hut"), was a scholar, educator, and poet who lived in the late Song dyn ...

Gedalecia, David. The Philosophy of Wu Ch’eng: A Neo-Confucian of the Yüan Dynasty. Bloomington: Indiana University, 1999. *

Li Zhen (Later Liang) Li Zhen (李振) (died November 20, 923 Academia Sinicabr>Chinese-Western Calendar Converter), courtesy name Xingxu (興緒), was an important official of the Chinese Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period state Later Liang. He was a trusted aide ...

Li Yu (Later Tang) Li Yu (李愚) (died October 24, 935?'' History of the Five Dynasties'', vol. 47. Academia Sinicabr>Chinese-Western Calendar Converter), courtesy name Zihui (子晦), known in his youth as Li Yanping (李晏平), was a Chinese essayist, historian, ...

Feng Yu Feng Yu () (died 952/953?), courtesy name Jingchen (), was a Chinese politician of the Later Tang, Later Jin, and the Liao dynasties of China. He was powerful during the reign of Later Jin's second emperor Shi Chonggui, as Shi's Empress Feng w ...

Notes

References

{{reflist Academic degrees Confucian education Imperial examination Political history of China

Subtypes of jinshi recipients

Notable ''jinshi'' recipients by year

Tang Dynasty

Song Dynasty

Yuan dynasty

Ming dynasty

Qing dynasty

People who failed ''jinshi'' exams

See also

Notes

References