Wang Chong

(c. 27 - 100)

A Chinese philosopher of the Han period, Wang Chong was born in 27 and came from a poor background; he is said to have acquired much of his learning from the stalls of booksellers. He studied at the academy in Luoyang and became a district secretary. After holding a few other minor government positions, he lost his post because of his disputatious nature. Wang returned to write in his hometown in Shangyu. His Discourses ran to some 85 chapters and 200,000 words.