Wang ZhiHan

Wang ZhiHan, with courtesy name of Ciping, and literary name of XiangJun, was an educator, calligrapher in the later Qing Dynasty. He was born in Weicheng District. In 1814 (Daoguang 24th year), he obtained the title of Jinshi (graduate). Then he had held various posts, such as an editor in Hanlin Academy (an Elite scholarly institution) and vice minister in Rites Ministry. At the beginning of Xianfeng reign, his personal tragedy haunted his life, in the deaths of loved ones. Then he stayed at home and taught for several years, without any ambition for official promotion. Later he was posted as an examiner in Henan and Guangdong. Then he worked at history academy for about 10 years. He, scholarly and steeped in laws and regulations, was appraised as a model by his junior colleagues. Reserved, upright and practical, he was respected by a lot of people. He had taught in Longgang Academy in Shunde, Qinghui Academy in Guangpin, and Luoyuan Academy in Jinan. He showed his expertise in poetry, ci and calligraphy. His calligraphy, specialized in small kai style, had left a deep impact on the later generations. His ``Jiujiu Xiaohan``, with an idyllic style, showed the pastoral life and had been chanted by people in Weixian for a long time. He died in Jinan Luoyuan Academy in the winter of 1884, (the 10th year of Guangxu reign). His colleagues called him ``Mr. Wenmin``.