Jeong Yak-Yong

Place: Namyangju

Born: 1762

Death: 1836

Biography:

Dasan, also known as Jeong Yak-yong, was a Korean agronomist, philosopher, and poet born in Namyangju, South Korea in 1762. He is known by his art name Dasan (다산; lit. tea mountain). He was one of the greatest thinkers in the later Joseon period, wrote highly influential books about philosophy, science and theories of government, held significant administrative positions, and was noted as a poet. He was a close confidant of King Jeongjo and his philosophical position is often identified with the Silhak school, and his concerns are better seen as explorations of Neo-Confucian themes. He spent 18 years in exile in Gangjin County, South Jeolla Province, from 1801 until 1818, on account of his membership of the Southerners faction, and also because of his elder brother's Catholic faith. He died in Namyangju in 1836.