Biography of Shen Kuo

Author: Zuhui
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-12-01
Features: Shen Kuo (1032-1296), styled Cunzhong, was a native of Qiantang, Hangzhou. He was a renowned scientist in Chinese history and one of the important political reformers of the Northern Song Dynasty. Shen Kuo's research covered numerous disciplines, including mathematics, physics, chemistry, astronomy, geography, biology, agriculture, medicine, literature, history, music, and art. He was a polymath who spanned both natural and humanities fields. His Dream Pool Essays is even hailed as an outstanding work in ancient China that served as an encyclopedia. With a spirit of pragmatic innovation, Shen Kuo actively participated in Wang Anshi's reforms. However, his political career was fraught with setbacks, and he retired to his "Dream Pool" garden in his later years. This book aims to summarize Shen Kuo's life and his achievements in both natural and humanities fields based on historical records and extensive research. It explores his scientific and humanistic thoughts and evaluates his status in the history of Chinese science and politics.