Liu Yuxi (Liu Yu-hsi) 772-842

Known as a poet and writer of essays, in particular the philosophical text Tian lun. He was born into a scholar-official family in present day Jiangsu, and gained the jinshi degree in 793. He held a number of official posts, but his political poems led to long periods of banishment to the provinces. Here he came into contact with non-Chinese folk literature, which had a noticeable influence on his poetry. He was an innovator, not only in poetic style but also in the way he introduced fresh ideas and topics into his poems.

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