Li Tao

Li Tao (1115–1184), courtesy name Renfu or Zizhen, art name Xunyan, was a Song dynasty historian and scholar-official who devoted four decades of his life compiling Xu Zizhi Tongjian Changbian, a monumental reference book chronicling the history of the Northern Song (960–1127). Early life Li Tao was a direct descendant of Li Si (李偲), Emperor Taizong of Tang's grandson who narrowly escaped from the persecution of Empress Wu Zetian to settle in Danleng, Mei Prefecture, in 8th-century Tang dynasty. Li Tao's father Li Zhong (李中), a 15th-generation descendant of Li Si, passed the imperial examination in 1109 during the Song dynasty. He was well known for his knowledge in history and the classics. Li Tao read widely from a young age, not only Confucian classics but also history, medicine, agriculture, cosmology and divination. A believer of I Ching, he made an effort to modify his daily conduct and learning to its teachings. But his greatest passion was in the field of history: he devoted himself to the learning of The Spring and Autumn Annals, looked up to Sima Guang and strongly believed that history should be written as a guide for Confucian ethics. In 1132 he scored first in the local examination in Mei Prefecture, and six years later he passed the imperial examination. In between, he wrote two historical essays "The Mirror of Both Han Dynasties" (兩漢鑑) and "The Discussion about the Restoration of Righteousness" (反正議), focusing on the morality lessons of his historical subjects. Official career