Qian Qianyi

Qian Qianyi (simplified Chinese: 钱谦益; traditional Chinese: 銭謙益; pinyin: Qián Qiānyì; Wade–Giles: Ch'ien Ch'ien-i; Suzhou dialect: [zi tɕʰi ɪʔ]; 1582–1664) was a Chinese official, scholar and social historian of the late Ming Dynasty. Qian was a famous author and poet; and along with Gong Dingzi and Wu Weiye was known as one of the Three Masters of Jiangdong.

Qian was born in Changshu county of Suzhou prefecture (now in Jiangsu province). His courtesy name was "Shouzhi" (受之) and his pseudonyms were "Muzhai" (牧斋) and later "Mengsou" (蒙叟). He passed the imperial examination in 1610 at the age of 28.

Qian knew many independent women from entertainment and artistic circles, whom he treated as equals. One was a Ma Ruyu from Nanking, a consummate actress. She had had a good formal education. In addition she could paint and produce calligraphy in the square style. In her time she intimidated the male literati around her. Like many others of her kind, she abandoned her stage life and took up religion, building a Buddhist retreat. Another was Liu Rushi (1618–1684), who became his consort after he was impressed by her accomplishments. He treated her as his intellectual equal and companion on travels and social gatherings. Her poetry was preserved by Qian. Qian had important ties to the local writers and artists in the Jiading and Kunshan area outside modern Shanghai.

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