A Chinese Biographical Dictionary/Chên Tê-hsiu
208 Chên Tê-hsiu 陳德秀 (T. 景元 and 景希 and 希元. H. 西山). A.D. 1178-1235. A native of P'u-ch'êng in Fuhkien. Graduating in 1199, he was appointed to the Imperial Academy, and soon rose to high office at the capital. At his own request he was sent into the provinces; and his administration, in spite of the denunciations of enemies, was marked by signal success. On the accession of the Emperor Li Tsung in 1225, he was falsely accused of having favoured the Emperor's brother, who had just been put to death. He was degraded, but ultimately restored to office, and became President of the Board of Ceremonies. He was the author of the 讀書記, a philosophical work treating of the character and doings of eminent Ministers of past times; of the 大學衍義, illustrating the doctrines of the Great Learning; of the 文章正宗, a collection of model essays, etc. etc. His miscellaneous works were published under the title of 真西山集. Canonised as 文忠, in 1437 his tablet was placed in the Confucian Temple.