Duan Yucai

Life

He was a linsheng and became a juren in the twenty-fifth year of the Qianlong reign (1760; Gengchen). He served as magistrate of Yuping in Guizhou, was transferred to Sichuan, and held magistracies at Fushun and Wushan; his career also included acting appointments in Wushan and other counties. He retired on grounds of illness, returned to his native region, and lived at Fengqiao in Suzhou, reading behind closed doors. He first befriended Dai Zhen of Xiuning, later honored him as his teacher, and studied under him.

Immersed in the classics and histories and especially skilled in the Six Scripts, he devoted decades to the study of the Shuowen, with work spanning writing, phonology, exegesis, and classical studies. He became acquainted with Qian Daxin, Shao Jinhang, and Yao Nai; after returning home he also associated with Liu Taigong, Wang Zhong, and Jin Bang. At 55, on his second journey to the capital, he met Wang Niansun and Wang Yinzhi, father and son, and discussed phonology and exegesis with them in close intellectual accord.

Scholarship and works

Together with Gui Fu, Zhu Junsheng, and Wang Yun, he was counted among the Four Great Masters of the Shuowen. His principal works include 《說文解字注》, 《六書音韻表》 (also recorded as 《六書音均表》), 《古文尚書撰異》, 《經韻樓集》, 《毛詩故訓傳定本》, 《詩經小學錄》, and 《戴東原年譜》. Other writings include 《儀禮漢讀考》, 《周禮漢讀考》, 《毛詩故訓傳》, 《春秋左氏古經》, 《汲古閣說文訂》, 《今韻古分十七部表》, and 《論學制備忘記》.

Family and students

His father was Duan Shixu, his younger brother Duan Yucheng, his daughter Duan Xun, and his son was 段段𩤠. Among those who studied under him were Xu Ting, Shen Tao, Chen Huan, and Yan Jie.