Southern Song polymath scholar, author of Kunxue Jiwen and Yuhai, traditionally credited with the Three Character Classic.
Mural guide
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.
Wang Yinglin, courtesy name Bohou, from Yin county in Qingyuan, passed the jinshi examination in 1241 and the erudite literatus examination, rising to Minister of Rites. A scholar of immense range in classics, history, institutions and geography, he wrote the Kunxue Jiwen and the encyclopedic Yuhai. After the fall of the Song he lived in retirement, and tradition credits him with the Three Character Classic.
Three Character ClassicSongRhymed three-character primer attributed to Wang Yinglin, foremost of traditional readers
Records
Jinshi and special-examination graduate who became minister
From 1241 to 1256
The Song History says Wang Yinglin passed the jinshi examination in 1241 and the special erudition examination in 1256, was summoned as director of the palace library and acting drafter in the secretariat, which he tried to decline, then became vice minister of Rites with the same concurrent post and later minister with a concurrent post as grand master of remonstrance.
Author of Kunxue jiwen, Yuhai and Tongjian dili tongshi
Late Southern Song
The Song History lists Wang Yinglin's works, including Kunxue jiwen in 20 juan, Yuhai in 200 juan, Shenning ji in 100 juan and Tongjian dili tongshi in 16 juan. The last, with Tongjian dili kao, examines the geography of the Zizhi tongjian.
Song
Yuan
Literature · Sayings