Sima Guang (1019–1086 CE) was a prominent statesman and historian of the Northern Song dynasty. His courtesy name was Junshi, and he styled himself Yusou (“Old Recluse”). Born in Sishui Village, Xia County, Shanzhou (in present-day Shanxi Province), he was widely known as “Master Suishui.”
He passed the imperial examination in 1038 (the first year of the Baoyuan era). In 1066 (the third year of Zhiping under Emperor Yingzong), he submitted an eight-chapter historical work titled Tongzhi (“Comprehensive Records”) to the throne. Impressed, Emperor Yingzong ordered the establishment of a special editorial bureau to continue its compilation.
When Emperor Shenzong ascended the throne, he promoted Sima Guang to Hanlin Academician and renamed the work Zizhi Tongjian (“Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government”), personally composing a preface for it. Politically, Sima Guang staunchly opposed Wang Anshi’s New Policies, famously arguing that “the laws of our ancestors must not be altered.” He particularly criticized the Green Sprouts Law (Qingmiao Fa). When his views were disregarded, he requested reassignment outside the capital.
In 1071 (the fourth year of Xining), Sima Guang retired to Luoyang, where he devoted himself entirely to compiling the Zizhi Tongjian. After more than a decade of meticulous labor, the monumental work was completed in 1084 (the seventh year of Yuanfeng).
Upon the accession of Emperor Zhezong, with Grand Empress Dowager Gao acting as regent, Sima Guang was recalled to court as Vice Director of the Chancellery and soon appointed Left Chancellor – the highest administrative post. He led the comprehensive repeal of Wang Anshi’s reforms, an episode later known in history as the “Yuanyou Restoration”.
He served as chancellor for only eight months before dying in office. Posthumously enfeoffed as Duke of Wenguo and granted the honorific title “Wenzheng,” he is traditionally referred to as “Duke Sima Wengong.”
The Zizhi Tongjian comprises 294 scrolls, covering Chinese history from the Warring States period (5th century BCE) to the end of the Five Dynasties (10th century CE). Renowned for its vast source base, rigorous methodology, coherent structure, and meticulous textual criticism, it stands as one of the greatest universal histories ever compiled in China.
Sima Guang also authored other works, including Jigu Lu (Records of Investigating Antiquity), Suishui Jiwen (Suishui’s Notes on Rumors and Events), and Collected Works of Sima Wenzheng Gong.
Leave a Reply