Wei Shou

Compiled the Book of Wei, derided as a "Foul History" for its arbitrary praise and blame.

Life

Three Talents of the North

Wei Shou came from the Wei clan of Julu and was famed for his literary talent from youth; with Wen Zisheng and Xing Shao he was known as one of the "Three Talents of the North."

Compiled the Book of Wei

From 551 he was commissioned to write the history of Northern Wei, and in 554 the Book of Wei was completed. Recording the history of the Northern Wei dynasty, it is one of the Twenty-Four Histories.

Controversy over the "Foul History"

After the book was finished, many felt he had used the history to repay favors and settle scores, glorifying his relatives and friends and disparaging his enemies. More than a hundred people lodged complaints, the book was called a "Foul History," and he was forced to revise it several times. He died in 572.

Legacy

The Book of Wei is the most fundamental source for the history of the Northern Wei; although derided as a "Foul History," the wealth of institutional material it preserves is still extremely valuable.

Major works & achievements

• Book of Wei

Did you know? He is said to have boasted, "What sort of whelp dares glare at Wei Shou! If I raise a man up, I can send him to heaven; if I press him down, I can sink him into the earth."

Key dates

• 551Commissioned to write the history of Wei
• 554Book of Wei completed
• 572Died