Shen Kuo

Shen Kuo 沈括
Modern artist's impression of Shen Kuo
Born	1031 Qiantang, Song Empire
Died	1095 Runzhou, Song Empire
Residence	Hangzhou, Xiamen, Kaifeng, Zhenjiang
Fields	Geology, Astronomy, Archaeology, Mathematics, Pharmacology, Magnetics, Optics, Hydraulics, Metaphysics, Meteorology, Climatology, Geography, Cartography, Botany, Zoology, Architecture, Agriculture, Economics, Military strategy, Ethnography, Music, Divination
Institutions	Hanlin Academy
Known for	Geomorphology, Climate change, Atmospheric refraction, True north, Retrogradation, Camera obscura, Raised-relief map, fixing the position of the pole star, correcting lunar and solar errors
Chinese name
Chinese	沈括
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Shěn Kuò Wade–Giles Shen3 K'uo IPA [ʂə̀n kʰwô] Yue: Cantonese Yale Romanization Sám Kut Jyutping Sam2 Kut3 Southern Min Hokkien POJ Sím Koat Tâi-lô Sím Kuat

Shen Kuo (Chinese: 沈括; 1031–1095), courtesy name Cunzhong (存中) and pseudonym Mengqi (now usually given as Mengxi) Weng (夢溪翁), was a Han Chinese polymathic scientist and statesman of the Song dynasty (960–1279). Excelling in many fields of study and statecraft, he was a mathematician, astronomer, meteorologist, geologist, zoologist, botanist, pharmacologist, agronomist, archaeologist, ethnographer, cartographer, encyclopedist, general, diplomat, hydraulic engineer, inventor, academy chancellor, finance minister, governmental state inspector, poet, and musician. He was the head official for the Bureau of Astronomy in the Song court, as well as an Assistant Minister of Imperial Hospitality. At court his political allegiance was to the Reformist faction known as the New Policies Group, headed by Chancellor Wang Anshi (1021–1086).