author
Yi Jia
-200–-168
Best known for sharp essays and lyrical fu poetry, this early Han thinker wrote about the fall of the Qin dynasty, political reform, and the emotional cost of public life.
1 Audiobook
賈誼新書
by Yi Jia
About the author
Born around 200 BCE in Luoyang, Jia Yi was a Chinese essayist, poet, and statesman of the Western Han dynasty. He gained attention while still young for his learning and literary skill, which helped bring him into government service under Emperor Wen of Han.
Jia Yi became known for bold proposals about government and reform, but his views also brought resistance from senior officials at court. He was eventually sent away from the center of power and later served as tutor to a young imperial prince.
He is remembered today as one of the earliest major writers of fu rhapsody and for influential works such as the essay often translated as Disquisition on Finding Fault with Qin, which reflects on why the Qin dynasty collapsed. Other writings linked to him, including On the Owl and Lament for Qu Yuan, show both political insight and a strong personal voice.