Wang Duo's Chronology

Author: Zhang Sheng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-01-01
Features: Wang Duo (1592-1652), styled Juesi, known as Chian'an, Songqiao, and Yantian Fisherman, was posthumously honored as Wen'an. He was a native of Mengjin, Henan. A renowned calligrapher and poet during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, Wang Duo passed the imperial examinations in the Ming Tianqi era and rose to the position of Minister of Rites in the Chongzhen era (though he did not take office). In the Southern Ming Hongguang regime, he became a Grand Secretary, and even after the Qing dynasty was established, he was appointed Minister of Rites (though he had already resigned by the time the decree was issued). He served in two dynasties, but his entry into office was out of necessity; as a secondary minister, his moral integrity was compromised. Later generations had varying opinions on his life and actions, with praise and criticism evenly divided. However, his reputation as a calligrapher was widespread, and his works were highly regarded during his time and even more so in later generations, treasured like jade. Wang Duo was born into a small landowning family and faced hardship in his early years. Through his own efforts, he rose to prominence in the court, and the livelihood of his family depended entirely on the land, making him particularly cautious in his conduct and as an official. He regarded himself as a clean stream, though not a member of the Furen Society or the Donglin Party, his close friends and relatives were mostly members of the party, such as Lü Weiqi, Huang Daozhou, and Ni Yuanlu, and he was greatly influenced by them. From his life's actions, it can be seen that he clashed with the eunuch faction but showed sympathy for the Donglin Party, yet he did not align himself with the party to oppress others.