Su Shi

8 January 1037 – 24 August 1101

Su Shi (1037-1101), also known as Su Dongpo, was a Song dynasty statesman, poet, essayist, calligrapher, and gastronome, widely regarded as one of the greatest literary figures in Chinese history. His political career was marked by repeated exiles over his opposition to Wang Anshi's New Policies, during which he produced much of his most celebrated writing, including the Red Cliff rhapsodies.

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Life events

Born in Meishan, Sichuan
8 January 1037

Su Shi was born in Meishan (in present-day Sichuan) into a literary family that included his father Su Xun and brother Su Zhe.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Passed the jinshi imperial examination with distinction
1057

At age 19 Su Shi passed the highest-level civil service examination in Kaifeng, earning the admiration of chief examiner Ouyang Xiu.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Left the capital to serve in Hangzhou after opposing Wang Anshi's New Policies
1071

His criticism of Wang Anshi's reform program led Su Shi to request provincial postings, beginning with a position in Hangzhou.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Arrested in the Crow Terrace Poetry Trial
1079

Su Shi was arrested and tried for allegedly slandering the emperor and court policy in his poetry, narrowly escaping the death penalty.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Exiled to Huangzhou, where he adopted the name Dongpo
1080 – 1084

During his exile in Huangzhou he farmed a plot of land called the Eastern Slope (Dongpo), from which he took his literary name.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Composed the two Red Cliff rhapsodies
1082

While in Huangzhou exile, Su Shi wrote the former and latter rhapsodies on the Red Cliff, masterpieces of Chinese prose-poetry.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Served as governor of Hangzhou and built the Su Causeway on West Lake
1089 – 1091

As prefect of Hangzhou he directed the dredging of West Lake, using the excavated material to build the causeway later named after him.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Exiled to Huizhou in the far south
1094

With the reformist faction back in power, Su Shi was banished to Huizhou in present-day Guangdong.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Banished to Danzhou on Hainan Island
1097 – 1100

Su Shi was further exiled to Hainan Island, then considered the remotest of punishments short of execution, where he taught and wrote until his pardon.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Died in Changzhou while returning from exile
24 August 1101

Pardoned after the accession of Emperor Huizong, Su Shi died in Changzhou on his journey back north.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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