# Hall of Worthies

> research institute set up by Sejong the Great of the Korean Joseon Dynasty in March 1420

**Wikidata**: [Q4204904](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4204904)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hall_of_Worthies)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/hall-of-worthies

## Summary
The Hall of Worthies was a research institute established by King Sejong the Great of the Joseon Dynasty in March 1420. It served as a think tank and scholarly institution that contributed to major intellectual and cultural achievements of the era. The institute was later replaced by the Hongmungwan in 1456.

## Key Facts
- Founded in March 1420 by King Sejong the Great of Joseon
- Also known as Jiphyeonjeon, Chiphyŏnjŏn, and Salon de Worthies
- Located at coordinates 37.578611111111115, 126.97722222222222
- Produced the notable work "Hunminjeongeum" (the Korean alphabet)
- Dissolved in 1456 following the Sayuksin assassination plot
- Replaced by the Hongmungwan after its dissolution
- Has 10 sitelinks across multiple language Wikipedias
- Listed in the Encyclopedia of Korean Culture with ID E0055081

## FAQs
### Q: What was the Hall of Worthies?
A: The Hall of Worthies was a research institute established by King Sejong the Great in 1420 as a think tank for scholarly research and intellectual development in the Joseon Dynasty.

### Q: What is the Hall of Worthies most famous for creating?
A: The Hall of Worthies is most famous for creating the Hunminjeongeum, which is the original document describing the Korean alphabet (Hangul).

### Q: When and why did the Hall of Worthies end?
A: The Hall of Worthies was dissolved in 1456 following the Sayuksin assassination plot, after which it was replaced by the Hongmungwan.

## Why It Matters
The Hall of Worthies represents a pivotal moment in Korean intellectual history, serving as the Joseon Dynasty's premier research institution under King Sejong's reign. It functioned as both a think tank and scholarly body that advanced Korean science, literature, and governance. The institute's most significant contribution was the creation of the Hunminjeongeum, which laid the foundation for the Korean alphabet and dramatically improved literacy among common people. By bringing together the kingdom's brightest minds, the Hall of Worthies helped transform Korea into a more educated and culturally sophisticated society. Its dissolution marked the end of an era of intellectual flourishing, though its legacy continued through the Hongmungwan and the enduring impact of its scholarly works.

## Notable For
- Creation of the Hunminjeongeum, the foundational text for the Korean alphabet
- Being the first dedicated research institute in Korean history
- Producing multiple scholarly works that advanced Joseon science and literature
- Serving as a model for future Korean governmental research institutions
- Its role in democratizing knowledge through the development of Hangul

## Body
### Establishment and Purpose
The Hall of Worthies was established in March 1420 by King Sejong the Great as a research institute and think tank. The institution was created to gather Korea's most talented scholars to work on projects that would advance the kingdom's intellectual and cultural development.

### Location and Structure
The institute was located at specific coordinates (37.578611111111115, 126.97722222222222) within the Joseon capital. It operated as a formal research organization with dedicated scholars working on various scholarly projects.

### Major Achievements
The Hall of Worthies is most renowned for producing the Hunminjeongeum, the document that introduced and explained the Korean alphabet. This work represented a major breakthrough in Korean linguistics and education, making literacy more accessible to common people.

### Dissolution and Legacy
The institute was dissolved in 1456 following the Sayuksin assassination plot. After its dissolution, the Hongmungwan took over its functions. Despite its relatively short existence, the Hall of Worthies left a lasting impact on Korean scholarship and culture, particularly through its role in developing Hangul and other scholarly works.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013