Yiqing Liu

Best known as the compiler behind Shishuo xinyu (A New Account of Tales of the World), he helped turn a collection of short anecdotes and conversations into a literary classic. The work is valued not only for the glimpses it gives of notable figures and social life, but also for its elegant, concise style.

Reliable sources identify him as a prince of the Liu Song dynasty who lived from 403 to 444. His book has remained important for readers interested in early medieval Chinese culture, especially the wit, character sketches, and refined talk of the period.