At nine yean of age he was already good at composition, and as he grew up his learning became very extensive and profound. After the death of his father he devoted himself to the great historical work, the foundations of which had been to some extent laid by the latter, especially clearing up points which had previously been doubtful. For this he was impeached, on the ground that he was altering the national history at his own discretion, and was arrested and thrown into prison. His brother Pan Ch'ao, however, was able to satisfy the Emperor as to the real character of his efforts, and he was at once released and entrusted with the biography of the first Emperor of the Eastern Han dynasty. Before his own work was brought to completion, he became involved with the party of Tou Hsien whom he had accompanied upon his campaign into Mongolia, and being cast into prison died there. The Emperor handed over the unfinished history to Pan Chao, his gifted sister, by whom it was finally completed. Also author of the 白虎通.
1601 Pan Piao 班彪 (T. 叔皮). A.D. 3-54. A native of An-ling in Shensi, and father of the historian Pan Ku. Fond of antiquity and grave of demeanour, he retired into seclusion in Kansuh, taking refuge with Wei Hsiao from the troublous times which ushered in the Eastern Han dynasty. He subsequentiy passed into Ho-hsi, where he became confidential secretary and adviser to the Commander-in-chief. The memorials of the latter attracting the Emperor's attention by their vigour and pointedness, his Majesty enquired as to what assistance he had in their preparation, and was informed that Pan Piao was the writer. He was summoned to Court and received a post; but retired on the plea of ill-health and devoted himself entirely to the study of history, preparing to continue Ssŭ-ma Ch'ien's work from the year B.C. 104, at which it had stopped.
1602 Pan-ti 班第. Died A.D. 1755. A Mongol, who after a distinguished career in Peking and the provinces, was entrusted in 1754 with
