Ouyang Xiu

Ouyang Xiu
A contemporary drawing of Ouyang Xiu
Traditional Chinese	歐陽脩
Simplified Chinese	欧阳修
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Ōuyáng Xiū Gwoyeu Romatzyh Ouyang Shiou Wade–Giles Ou1-yang2 Hsiu1 IPA [óu.jǎŋ ɕjóu] Yue: Cantonese Yale Romanization Āu-yèuhng Sāu Jyutping Au1-joeng4 Sau1 Southern Min Hokkien POJ Au-iông Siu Middle Chinese Middle Chinese 'Uw-yang Sjuw
Yongshu (courtesy name)
Chinese	永叔
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Yǒngshū
Zuiweng (art name)
Chinese	醉翁
Literal meaning	"Drunken Old Man"
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Zuìwēng Yue: Cantonese Yale Romanization Jeui-yūng Jyutping Zeoi3-jung1 Southern Min Hokkien POJ Tsuì-ong
Liuyi Jushi (art name)
Chinese	六一居士
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Liùyī jūshì Yue: Cantonese Yale Romanization Luhk-yāt gēui-sih Southern Min Hokkien POJ Lio̍k-it ku-sū
Wenzhong (posthumous name)
Chinese	文忠
Literal meaning	Cultured and Loyal
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Wénzhōng Yue: Cantonese Yale Romanization Màhn-jūng Southern Min Hokkien POJ Bûn-tiong

Ouyang Xiu (1007 – 22 September 1072), courtesy name Yongshu, was a Chinese statesman, historian, essayist, calligrapher and poet of the Song Dynasty.

Ouyang was one of the major players in the Qingli Reforms of the 1040s and was in charge of creating the New History of the Tang Dynasty. He was also regarded as one of the great masters of prose of the Tang and Song era. He was also a noted writer of both shi and ci poetry.

He was born in Jishui, Jiangxi where his father was a judge, though his family comes from present day Jishui (then known as Luling), Jiangxi. His family was relatively poor, not coming from one of the old great lineages of Chinese society. Losing his father when he was three, his literate mother was responsible for much of his early education. He was unable to afford traditional tutoring and was largely self-taught. The writings of Han Yu, a literatus from the late Tang Dynasty were particularly influential in his development. He passed the jinshi degree exam in 1030 on his third attempt at the age of 22.

In his youth, be became somewhat notorious for an undisciplined personal life, including frequenting pleasure quarters and keeping the company of courtesans. At the same time, he also associated with like-minded scholar officials, with whom he regularly exchanged ideas on philosophy and literary modes. He preferred guwen (Ancient Prose) from an early age. By the age of thirty, he gave up the impulses of his youth and expressed regret at coming to an understanding of the Way rather late.