A Chinese Biographical Dictionary/Fang Pao
556 Fang Pao 方苞 (T. 靈皋 H. 望溪). A.D. 1678-1749. A native of Kiangnan, who graduated in 1699 as first chü jen and as chin shih in 1706. He devoted himself to a study of the Classics and of philosophical literature in general; but his name happening to be mentioned in a treasonable work written by a relative, he was arrested in 1711 and cast into prison. There he still managed to continue his work, and in 1713 his real merits were brought to light. He not only received a full pardon, but was at once made tutor to the Imperial princes. In 1735 he was appointed to assist in editing works for the Imperial Library, and his advice was much sought by the Ministers of the day. In 1737 he became Vice President of the Board of Rites, but not agreeing with his colleagues he soon resigned on the plea of ill-health. In 1742 he finally retired from official life and spent his remaining years in study. His collected writings were published under the title of 望溪集, and he himself was popularly known as 方侍郞.