|

Lu You [Photo/sx.gov.cn]

Lu You (1125-1210) was born in Shanyin (now Shaoxing in East China's Zhejiang province). He was one of the most important and prolific writers of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), noted for his collection of more than 9,000 poems as well as numerous prose pieces.

Lu has been most admired for the ardor of his patriotic poems. Four times demoted for his outspoken opinions, Lu finally resigned his civil-service commission and retired to his country estate. During retirement he devoted most of his poetry to the appreciation and delights of rural life.