Sima Guang

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Sima Guang (Chinese: 司馬光; pinyin: Sīmǎ Guāng; 17 November 1019 – 11 October 1086), courtesy name Junshi (Chinese: 君實; pinyin: Jūnshí), hao Yusou (Chinese: 迂叟; pinyin: Yūsŏu), was a Chinese historian, politician, and writer. He was a high-ranking Song dynasty scholar-official who authored the Zizhi Tongjian, a monumental work of history. Born into a family of officials, Sima Guang displayed remarkable intelligence from a young age and quickly rose through the ranks of the Song bureaucracy. His early career was marked by his work in government administration, where he gained a reputation for his meticulous scholarship and principled stance on state affairs. As a prominent official, he strongly opposed Wang Anshi's New Policies, arguing that they disrupted social stability and traditional governance. His criticisms led to his removal from political office when reformists held power. After retiring from active politics, Sima devoted himself to historical research and writing. He spent years...

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