Scholars › Philosopher / Thinker
Liu Xin
Han scholar, son of Liu Xiang, who catalogued the imperial library in the Seven Summaries, championed the old-script classics, and served Wang Mang as Preceptor of State
A thatched pavilion open on three sides stands among tall bamboo; one person sits with their back turned at the veranda rail beside a zither and a stack of bamboo slips, while a stone path runs to a calm pond reflecting clouds and distant hills.
Also known as Zi Zijun · Zi Yingshu · Liu Zi Jun
Liu Xin, courtesy name Zijun, was a descendant of Prince Yuan of Chu and the youngest son of Liu Xiang. His learning brought him to the notice of Emperor Cheng, who made him a gentleman of the Yellow Gate. In the Heping era he and his father were ordered to collate the imperial library, and after Liu Xiang's death Emperor Ai had him finish the work, which he catalogued in the Seven Summaries (Qilue). He pressed for the Zuo Commentary and other old-script texts to be given official chairs; when the court scholars refused to debate him, his letter of rebuke angered senior ministers and he was sent out to govern commanderies. In 6 BC he changed his name to Xiu to avoid the emperor's name. Wang Mang made him Preceptor of State, but in 23 AD he plotted with Wang She and Dong Zhong to seize Wang Mang and killed himself when it was discovered. The bibliography of the Book of Han (Hanshu) abridges his Seven Summaries.
Life and times
Dates c. 50 BCE–23 CE
- c. 33 BCELiu Xin Composes Santong Calendar