Wan Sitong

Life

His father was Wan Tai (1598–1657). His brothers included Wan Sinian (1617–1693), Wan Sizhen, Wan Sichang, Wan Sixuan (1629–1694), Wan Sida (1633–1683), and Wan Sibei. He had two sons, Wan Shikai and Wan Shibiao, and a grandson, Wan Chenghu.

During the Kangxi period, he was recommended for the Boxue Hongci examination but declined it. He was especially well versed in Ming historical precedents.

He studied under Huang Zongxi, and his friends included Xu Qianxue, Liu Xianting, Fang Bao, Wang Yuan, and Zhu Heling. Chen Xigu was his fellow student and fellow disciple; his students included Qian Mingshi, and he also taught Chen Rudeng.

After his death, his disciples privately bestowed on him the posthumous title Zhenwen xiansheng; Fang Bao wrote his tomb inscription and tomb tablet text.

Historical scholarship and works

For nineteen years he took part in compiling the History of Ming, without holding an official title or accepting a salary. The 500-volume *Mingshi Gao* was entirely settled by him; his historical titles also include *Mingshi Liezhuan* (200 volumes) and *Mingshi Biao* (13 volumes).

His principal works include *Lidai Shibiao* (53 volumes), *Jiyuan Huikao* (4 volumes), *Rulin Zongpai* (6 volumes), *Qunshu Yibian* (12 volumes), and *Shiyuan Shiwenji* (8 volumes). *Qunshu Yibian* also appears as *Qunshu Bianyi*; *Jiyuan Huikao* appears in a variant graph form, and the poetry and prose collection also appears under the title *Shiyuan Ji*.

Other titles include *Song Dachen Nianbiao*, *Kunlun Heyuan Kao*, *Nansong Liuling Yishi* (1 volume), *Gua Bian Kao*, *Zhouzheng Huikao* (8 volumes), *Tang-Song Shijing Kao* (1 volume), *Sangli Bianyi* (4 volumes), *Songshi Congmu Buyi* (3 volumes), *Songji Zhongyi Lu* (16 volumes), *Gengshen Jun Yishi* (1 volume), *Miaozhi Tukao*, *Miaozhi Zhezhong*, *Ming Yuefu* (2 volumes), *Ming Tongjian*, and *Shuxue Huibian* (10 volumes).

Further titles include *Lidai Zaifu Huikao* (8 volumes), *Hequ Kao* (12 volumes), *Han-Wei Shijing Kao* (1 volume), *Shijing Wen Kao* (2 volumes), *Shijing Kao* (1 volume), *Shigu Wen Kao* (1 volume), *Di Shuo*, *Shengyun Yuanliu Kao* (1 volume), *Duli Tongkao* (90 volumes), and *Nannan* (1 volume).