Sima Guang's Chronology -- Chronology Series

Author: Ma Long
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: The chronicle is a form of evolution and development from the biographical and chronological history. It originated in the Song Dynasty, flourished in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and there are currently about four to five thousand extant chronicles, most of which are from the Qing Dynasty, including many rare, unique, manuscript, and handwritten copies. Regarding the value of chronicles, the early Qing scholar Quan Zuwang said in the preface to the Chronicle of Mr. Shi Yushan: "The study of chronicles is a distinct genre. Since the great scholars have numerous deeds, both in national history and in family biographies, there cannot be without errors, and we rely on chronicles to correct them." See Volume 32 of the "Gaojiao Pavilion Collection." The late Qing scholar Xi Yirang elaborated more thoroughly in the preface to the Chronicle of Mr. Chang Naomin: "Since the Northern Song scholars compiled the poems of Tao Yuanming and Du Fu, and the writings of Han Yu and Liu Yuxi by year, later scholars followed suit, compiling deeds into books. Thus, the principle of chronological arrangement became common in biographies. The chronicles, with years as the longitude and months as the latitude, made the beginning and end clear, a feature unprecedented in family histories before the Tang Dynasty. Great scholars and outstanding figures devoted their lives to learning, and their moral integrity and literary works improved with each passing year. Moreover, the ups and downs of their lives varied with their experiences. Without a chronicle to meticulously examine their years, it would be impossible to obtain detailed and accurate information."