author
Yi Zhao
1727–1814
A sharp-minded Qing dynasty poet, historian, and critic, this writer became known for fresh, independent thinking about both literature and the Chinese past. His work blends lively literary talent with careful historical judgment, making him a memorable voice of eighteenth-century China.
1 Audiobook
甌北詩話
by Yi Zhao
About the author
Born in Jiangsu in 1727, he came from a modest background and at one point supported himself through tutoring. He went on to pass the jinshi examination in 1761 and served in a series of official posts during the Qing dynasty.
He is remembered above all as both a poet and a historian. His poetry stood out for its energy and originality, while his historical writing earned lasting attention for its critical approach and willingness to question accepted views.
Among his best-known works is Notes on the Twenty-Two Dynastic Histories, a book associated with his reputation as a careful and unconventional reader of the past. He died in 1814, leaving behind a body of writing that continued to matter to readers interested in Chinese history, criticism, and classical literature.