# Han Yu

> Chinese historian, poet, philosopher and politician (768–824)

**Wikidata**: [Q318998](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q318998)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Han_Yu)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/han-yu

## Summary
Han Yu was a Chinese historian, poet, philosopher, and politician who lived from 768 to 824 during the Tang dynasty. He is best known as one of the Eight Great Prose Masters of the Tang and Song, a group of renowned Chinese essayists. His work spans multiple disciplines, including literature, history, and government service.

## Biography
- Born: 768
- Nationality: Chinese
- Known for: Membership in the Eight Great Prose Masters of the Tang and Song
- Field(s): History, poetry, philosophy, politics, writing, calligraphy

## Contributions
Han Yu is recognized for his foundational role in Chinese literature as a member of the Eight Great Prose Masters of the Tang and Song. His contributions encompass the fields of history, poetry, and philosophy, where he produced work that defined the literary standards of the era. Additionally, he engaged in political service as a politician and practiced calligraphy as an artist.

## FAQs
- **What were Han Yu's primary professions?**
  Han Yu was a multi-disciplinary figure known as a historian, poet, philosopher, politician, writer, and calligrapher.
- **When did Han Yu live and what era was he part of?**
  He lived from 768 to 824 AD, active during the Tang dynasty, an empire in China proper that existed between 618 and 907 AD.
- **What literary group is Han Yu associated with?**
  He is a distinguished member of the Eight Great Prose Masters of the Tang and Song, a group comprising eight renowned Chinese essayists from these dynasties.
- **What are the aliases used to refer to Han Yu?**
  Han Yu is known by several aliases, including Wen, Hanchangli, Tuizhi, Han Shiba, Hanlibu, and Hanwengong.

## Why They Matter
Han Yu holds a significant place in Chinese intellectual history due to his classification as one of the Eight Great Prose Masters of the Tang and Song. This designation highlights his enduring influence on the development of Chinese prose and essay writing. His multifaceted career as a philosopher, historian, and politician during the Tang dynasty allowed him to shape cultural and political thought, leaving a legacy that continued to be relevant in the subsequent Song dynasty.

## Notable For
- Being listed as one of the Eight Great Prose Masters of the Tang and Song.
- Life dates spanning 768 to 824 AD.
- Operating within the Tang dynasty empire.
- Being known by the aliases Tuizhi and Hanwengong.
- Having a taxonomic relationship with the extinct crocodilian genus Hanyusuchus.

## Body
### Identity and Occupations
Han Yu is classified as a human, a member of the species Homo sapiens. His professional identity is extensive, covering roles as a historian, poet, philosopher, politician, writer, and calligrapher. As a philosopher, he is associated with the study of truths and principles of being, schools of thought, knowledge, or conduct. As a writer, he used written words to communicate ideas and produce literary works, while his role as a calligrapher involved the artistic practice of calligraphy.

### Historical Context
The timeline of Han Yu's life, 768 to 824, falls squarely within the Tang dynasty. This empire in China proper existed between 618 and 907 AD, providing the political and cultural backdrop for his career in government and the arts.

### Literary Recognition and Legacy
A defining aspect of Han Yu's posthumous reputation is his inclusion in the Eight Great Prose Masters of the Tang and Song. This group consists of eight renowned Chinese essayists active during these respective dynasties. His association with this group underscores his impact on the literary traditions of the countries associated with  and .

### Aliases and Related Entities
Throughout history, Han Yu has been referred to by various names, including Wen, Hanchangli, Tuizhi, Han Shiba, Hanlibu, and Hanwengong. In the realm of natural history, he is connected to Hanyusuchus, an extinct genus of crocodilian from southern China.

## References

1. China Biographical Database
2. BnF authorities
3. Japan Search
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. CiNii Research
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. [Source](https://baike.baidu.com/item/韩愈/127407)
8. CERL Thesaurus
9. LIBRIS. 2012
10. Catalogo of the National Library of India