Ding Xuan

Born in 1832 in Tianchang, Anhui, this multi-talented writer is generally identified as Xuan Ding (also rendered Ding Xuan in some catalogs). Chinese reference sources describe him as a novelist, dramatist, poet, and painter, with style names including Zijiu and Sumei.

Accounts of his life say he grew up in relative comfort, but after the deaths of his parents in 1852 his family circumstances declined sharply. In 1858, during the upheaval around the Taiping period, he left Tianchang with his family and spent years moving from place to place, supporting them through clerical work, teaching, selling his writing, and painting.

He began writing Yeyu Qiudeng Lu in 1872, and it was published in 1877; a sequel followed in 1880. The stories brought him lasting recognition for their strange, emotional, and socially observant style. Sources also credit him with dramatic works such as Fanhunxiang Chuanqi. I couldn’t confirm a suitable verified portrait image from the pages I checked, so I’ve left that blank.