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''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 ...
in
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 1 ...
, it became the rule that only jinshi holders could enter the
Hanlin Academy
The Hanlin Academy was an academic and administrative institution of higher learning founded in the 8th century Tang China by Emperor Xuanzong in Chang'an.
Membership in the academy was confined to an elite group of scholars, who performed sec ...
. 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 underg ...
'' 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 cu ...
, (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 clai ...
(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 By ...
(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 g ...
(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 seve ...
(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 government ...
(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 genera ...
(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 Cao Que (曹確), courtesy name Gangzhong (剛中), was an official of the Chinese Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Yizong.
Background
It is not known when Cao Que was born. His family was from the Tang Dynasty ...
(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 Chine ...
(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
Xiahou Zi (), courtesy name Haoxue (好學), formally the Duke of Qiao Commandery (譙郡公), was an official of the Chinese Tang dynasty, serving two terms as a chancellor of Tang Dynasty, chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Xuānzong of Tan ...
(826)
*
Xiao Fang
Xiao Fang (; 796–875), courtesy name Sidao (思道), formally the Marquess of Lanling (蘭陵侯), was a Chinese politician during the Tang dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Xizong.
Background
Xiao Fang was born in ...
(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 majo ...
(828)
*
Xiao Qing
Xiao Qing (蕭頃; 862''Old History of the Five Dynasties'', :zh:s:舊五代史/卷58, vol. 58. – 19 June 930?''Old History of the Five Dynasties'', :zh:s:舊五代史/卷41, vol. 41.Academia Sinica]Chinese-Western Calendar Converter), courtesy n ...
(8??)
*
Wei Cong Wei Cong (韋琮), courtesy name Liyu (禮玉), was an official of the History of China, Chinese Tang Dynasty, serving briefly as a chancellor of Tang Dynasty, chancellor during the reign of Emperor Xuānzong of Tang, Emperor Xuānzong (reigned 846 ...
(8??)
*
Yu Cong
Yu Cong (于琮) (died 881), courtesy name Liyong (禮用), was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of his brother-in-law Emperor Yizong. After the agrarian rebel Huang Chao captured the imp ...
(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 901 ...
(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 Pei Zhi (裴贄) (died 905), courtesy name Jingchen (敬臣), was an official of the Chinese Tang dynasty, serving as a chancellor from 900 to 903 during the reign of Emperor Zhaozong. In 905, as the warlord Zhu Quanzhong the military governor of ...
(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, during ...
(8??)
*
Pei Tan (9th-century Tang chancellor)
Pei Tan (裴坦) (died June 25, 874Academia 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 of ...
(8??)
*
Wei Fu
Wei Fu (; died July 14, 850''Zizhi Tongjian'', vol. 249.), courtesy name Xiangzhi (相之), was an official of the Chinese Tang dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Xuānzong.
Very little is known about Wei's background ...
(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 Cui Yanzhao (), courtesy name Siwen (), was an official of the Chinese Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Xizong.
Background
It is not known when Cui Yanzhao was born. He was from the "Lesser Branch" of the promin ...
(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, 887 Academia 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 ...
(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
Yang She (楊涉), courtesy name Wenchuan (文川), was an official of the Chinese Tang dynasty and Tang's successor Later Liang, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of Tang's final emperor Emperor Ai and Later Liang's both commonly recogni ...
(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)
*
(87?)
*
Zhao Guangyin
Zhao Guangyin (; died May 23, 925''Zizhi Tongjian'', vol. 273.Academia Sinicabr>Chinese-Western Calendar Converter) was an official during China's Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. He was the chancellor during Later Tang. He was a son of ...
(891)
*
Shen Song
Shen Song () (863–938), courtesy name Jifu (), was a chancellor of the Chinese Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period state Wuyue.
Background
Shen Song was born in 863, during the reign of Emperor Yizong of Tang. He was said to be from the Mi ...
(895)
*
Wang Dingbao Wang Dingbao () (870-941) was a Chinese military general, historian, poet, and politician of the Southern Han dynasty of China, serving as chancellor for less than a year.
Background
According to the ''Tang Zhiyan'' (唐摭言, "selected words fr ...
(900)
*
Ma Yinsun Ma Yinsun () (died 953), courtesy name Qingxian (), was an official of the Chinese Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period Later Tang state, serving briefly as a chancellor during the reign of its last emperor Li Congke. (Some traditional sources w ...
(9??)
*
(???)
*
Liu Kai (Song dynasty) Liu Kai (947-1000) was born at Daming County, Daming in modern southernmost Hebei. He was known to be a highly accomplished scholar as well as a ruthless commander. Jiang Shaoyu (fl. 1115-1145) accused him of cannibalism and eating the minced livers ...
(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
Cai Xiang () (1012–1067) was a Chinese calligrapher, politician, structural engineer, and poet.Ci hai bian ji wei yuan hui (辞海编辑委员会). Ci hai (辞海). Shanghai: Shanghai ci shu chu ban she (上海辞书出版社), 197 ...
(1030)
*
Ouyang Xiu
Ouyang Xiu (; 1007 – 1072 CE), courtesy name Yongshu, also known by his art names Zuiweng () and Liu Yi Jushi (), was a Chinese historian, calligrapher, epigrapher, essayist, poet, and politician of the Song dynasty. He was a renowned writer a ...
(1030)
*
Chen Yuyi
Chen Yuyi (; 1090 – 1138) was a Chinese poet and politician of the Song dynasty.
Biography
Chen was born in Luoyang, Henan in 1090 to an official family, with his ancestral home in Jingzhao (today's Xi'an). After he acquired his ''jinshi'' in ...
(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 historians ...
(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.
Wri ...
(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 obta ...
(1422)
*
Yang Tinghe
Yang Tinghe (; 15 October 1459 – 25 July 1529), style name Jiefu, was a Grand Secretary in the Ming dynasty under the Zhengde (Wuzong) and Jiajing (Shizong) emperors. Yang was born and died in Xindu, Sichuan province, China.
Biography
Yang Tin ...
(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 examina ...
(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 rai ...
(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
Fan Qin (, 1506 - 1585, courtesy name: Yaoqing (堯卿), pseudonym: Dongming (東明)) was a politician and bibliophile of the Ming Dynasty.
Born in Ningbo in 1506, Fan Qin succeeded in the highest level of the Imperial examination in 1532 and o ...
(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 15 ...
(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 in 1550. He was involved in two well known poetry circles "The Latter Fiv ...
(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-level ...
, ( 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.
Biography
Li was born at a yea ...
(1574)
*
Li Sancai
Li Sancai (; courtesy name Daofu 道甫; art name Xiuwu 修吾; d. 1623) was an official during the late Ming dynasty in China. Li Sancai is best remembered for his outspoken opinions against the Wanli Emperor (r.1572-1620) regarding his eunuch- ...
(1574)
*
Zang Maoxun
Zang Maoxun (; 1550–1620) was a Ming dynasty Chinese playwright and drama theorist from Changxing, Zhejiang province. His courtesy name was Jinshu (晋叔) and he may also be known by the pseudonym (hao), Guzhu (顾渚). He successfully achiev ...
(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)
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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 and ...
(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 defe ...
, (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
Han Weiji (), courtesy name Zhenzi (), was a Chinese official who lived in the Qing dynasty. Han was born in Xiaotian Village, Zichuan County, Shandong Province, China (now Fujia Town, Zhangdian District, Zibo Prefecture). Han was a '' tong jins ...
(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 in ...
(16??)
*
Wei Yijie Wei Yijie (Chinese: 魏裔介; August 19, 1616 – April 27, 1686) was a prominent Han Chinese scholar and official serving in the early Qing Dynasty, during the rules of the Shunzhi Emperor, Oboi, and the Kangxi Emperor and was known for his focus ...
(1646)
*
Chen Tingjing
Chen Tingjing (, 31 December 1638 – 23 May 1712) was a Han Chinese politician and scholar who served as tutor to the Kangxi Emperor and was chief editor of the Kangxi Dictionary.
Biography
Chen Jing was born in Zezhou in Shanxi province. H ...
(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 d ...
*
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 art name, sobriquet Hou'an (), was a Chinese Neo-Confucianism, neo-Confucianist court official during the reign of the Kangxi Emperor of the Qing dynasty.
Biography
Li was ...
(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 frontier ...
(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
Sun Jiagan (, 1683–1753) was a Chinese politician of the Qing dynasty.
Born in Taiyuan, Shanxi, Sun was son of a family that was so poor that he had to work hard all day collecting firewood, and could only study at night.
In 1713, he graduated ...
(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
Yuan Mei (; 1716–1797) was a Chinese painter and poet of the Qing Dynasty. He was often mentioned with Ji Yun as the "Nan Yuan Bei Ji" ().
Biography
Early life
Yuan Mei was born in Qiantang (, in modern Hangzhou), Zhejiang province, to a cu ...
(1739)
*
Wei Yijie Wei Yijie (Chinese: 魏裔介; August 19, 1616 – April 27, 1686) was a prominent Han Chinese scholar and official serving in the early Qing Dynasty, during the rules of the Shunzhi Emperor, Oboi, and the Kangxi Emperor and was known for his focus ...
(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
The Shunzhi Emperor (15 March 1638 – 5 February 1661) was the second Emperor of China, emperor of the Qing dynasty of China, and the first Qing emperor to rule over China proper, reigning from 1644 to 1661. A Deliberative Council of Prince ...
,
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 Guwalgi ...
, 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
Sun Shiyi (, Vietnamese: Tôn Sĩ Nghị; 1720 – 1796), courtesy name Zhizhi (), pseudonym Bushan (), was an official of the Qing dynasty who served as the Viceroy of Liangguang and of Liangjiang during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor.
A ...
(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 sev ...
(1763)
*
Sun Yuting
Sun Yuting (1752–1834), courtesy name Jiashu and pseudonym Jipu, was a Chinese official of the Qing dynasty. He served as the Provincial Governor of Jiangxi, Jiangsu, and Anhui provinces, Viceroy of Huguang and Liangjiang, and as a member of ...
(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 Academ ...
(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 Hubu ...
(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 dynast ...
(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
Huang Juezi (1793 – 1853) was a Chinese Qing dynasty scholar and civil servant and a fervent opponent of the opium trade. His 1838 official memorial to the Daoguang Emperor detailing the problems caused by opium helped lead to t ...
(1823)
*
Luo Bingzhang
Luo Bingzhang (, courtesy names Yumen 籲門 and Ruzhai 儒齋; Posthumous name: Wenzhong 文忠; (January 9, 1793 – September 1, 1867) was an eminent Han Chinese official, military general, and devout Confucian scholar of the late Qing Dyn ...
(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 wa ...
(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
Jiang Zhongyuan (), 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.
Early life
Jiang Zhongyuan was born on August 1, 1812, in Xinnin ...
(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
Xue Fucheng or Hsieh Fucheng (12 April 1838 – 21 July 1894) was a Chinese diplomat of the Qing dynasty in the late 19th century. Born in Wuxi, Jiangsu to a literati family. Late Qing dynasty writer/essayist, diplomat to England, France, Be ...
(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
Lao Chongguang () (1802–67) was a Chinese official during the Qing dynasty and a native of Changsha County, Changsha, Hunan.
Personal life
His grandson is the Doctor of Philosophy Lao Sze-Kwang.
Political career
Lao Chongguang was considered a ...
(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
Shen Jiaben (, 1840 – 1913), alias Jiyi (), was a Late Qing Chinese politician and jurist from Huzhou, Zhejiang province.
Shen became a jinshi in 1883. He had been once the Prefect of Tianjin during 1893–7, then the Vice Minister of ...
(1883)
*
Liang Qichao
Liang Qichao (Chinese: 梁啓超 ; Wade–Giles, Wade-Giles: ''Liang2 Chʻi3-chʻao1''; Yale romanization of Cantonese, Yale: ''Lèuhng Kái-chīu'') (February 23, 1873 – January 19, 1929) was a Chinese politician, social and political act ...
(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 of ...
(1893)
*
Wu Leichuan
Wu Leichuan (; alt. ) (1870–1944) was a leading Chinese theologian in the early 20th century and Chancellor of Yenching University.
Biography
From his childhood, Wu poured his energy into mastering the Confucian classics and working his way u ...
(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, 923Academia 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 o ...
*
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, a ...
*
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 wa ...
See also
*
Qing literati Qing literati (''wenren'' Chinese:文人) were scholars in the Qing dynasty (1636-1911) educated in the Confucian curriculum, the "Four Books and Five Classics", and sometimes called "shi"(Chinese:士), scholar, and "shen"(Chinese:绅), or gentry. ...
* ''
Shujishi
Shujishi (; Manchu: ''geren giltusi'') which means "All good men of virtue" is a scholastic title during the Ming and Qing dynasty of China. It can be used to denote a group of people who hold this title as well as individuals who possess the titl ...
''
Notes
References
{{reflist
Academic degrees
Confucian education
Imperial examination
Political history of China