Mei Wending (1633–1721) was a Qing-dynasty Chinese astronomer, mathematician, and calendrical scholar. His zi was Dingjiu and his hao Wuan; alternate forms include Wuan and Jixuetang, and he was a native of Xuancheng, Anhui.
Life
As a child, he enjoyed observing the heavens and often made discoveries; as an adult, he devoted himself to ancient calendrical studies, pursuing explanations of difficult passages in old books to the point of neglecting sleep and food. He also mastered the Western mathematics introduced from the late Ming period, bringing it into a single synthesis with older learning.
His examination credentials included xiucai and gongsheng. In middle age he was widowed, did not remarry, and withdrew into private study.
His direct-line ancestor was Mei Shengyu; his brothers were Mei Wennai and Mei Wenmi, his son was Mei Yiyan, and his grandsons were Mei Juecheng and Mei Gancheng.
His circle of friends included Pan Lei, Tang Bin, Shi Runzhang, Fang Zhongtong, Li Guangdi, Chen Wance, and Mao Gangan. He was also associated as a friend with Tang Hu, Jie Xuan, Kong Xingtai, Zhang Yongjing, Yuan Shilong, and Wei Litong.
He studied with Ni Guanhu and Luo Wangbin; among his students were Huang Baijia, Li Zhonglun, Chen Houyao, Liu Xiangkui, and Li Dingzheng.
In the forty-fourth year of the Kangxi era (1705), Li Guangdi recommended him to the Kangxi Emperor. He discussed calendrical and astronomical methods with the emperor and was highly praised.
Scholarship and works
Mei ranged widely across the Classics, histories, and philosophical writings, and his poetry and prose were also noted for their literary quality. He produced more than eighty works on calendrical astronomy, all of which brought out points that earlier scholars had not developed.
His astronomical and calendrical works include Qizheng Qianjun Jianfa, Wuxing Jiyao, Jiaoshi Guanjian, Yangyi Jianyi Erming Buzhu, Zhongxi Jingxing Tongyi Kao, Hengxing Jiyao, Huoxing Benfa, and Huoxing Benfa Tushuo. His mathematical works include Sanjiao Fa Juyao, Jihe Bubian, Jihe Tongjie, Jugu Juyu, Jugu Chanwei, Fangcheng Lun, Bishuan, and Chousuan.
His calendrical writings were compiled as Meishi Congshu, and he also produced Jixuetang Shiwen Chao. His poetry and prose collections appear under such title forms as Jixuetang Wenchao in two written forms, Jixuetang Shichao, and Jixuezhai Ji.
References
- CBDB Mei Wending (33892)
- 搜韵 梅文鼎 (65542)
- Wikidata Mei Wending (Q11114865)