Du Mu

Date of Birth: 803 AD

Zodiac Sign: Unknown

Date of Death: 852 AD

Biography

Du Mu (杜牧) was a distinguished Chinese poet, essayist, and government official during the Tang Dynasty, widely celebrated for his lyrical and poignant poetry. Born into a scholarly family in 803 AD in Chang’an (now Xi’an), Du Mu showed early literary talent and passed the imperial examination at a young age, securing a position in the government. His career saw several appointments, but he faced political challenges and often found solace in his writing. Du Mu’s poetry is noted for its elegance and depth, often reflecting themes of love, nature, and the fleeting nature of life. His works are part of the Tang dynasty’s “Golden Age” of poetry, and he is considered one of the “Late Tang” poets. Some of his most famous poems include “Autumn Evening” and “Qingming Festival.” Du Mu’s influence extends beyond poetry; his essays and critiques on contemporary politics and society also contribute to his legacy. He passed away in 852 AD, leaving behind a rich literary heritage that continues to be studied and admired today.

5 Interesting Facts about Du Mu

1. Du Mu was born into a family of scholars, which provided him with a strong educational foundation.

2. Despite his literary success, Du Mu faced numerous political setbacks and controversies throughout his career.

3. His poetry often explores themes of melancholy, reflecting on the impermanence of life and the passage of time.

4. Du Mu’s work is part of the “Tangshi Sanbai Shou” (Three Hundred Tang Poems), a collection that is considered essential reading in Chinese literature.

5. In addition to poetry, Du Mu wrote essays and critiques, offering insights into the political and social issues of his time.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Du Mu

1. “The setting sun beyond the mountains, the Yellow River flows into the sea; to see a thousand miles further, climb one more story.”

2. “The autumn wind rises and the white clouds fly, the grass and trees wither and geese return south.”

3. “A thousand miles of yellow clouds are clear and bright, a lone city stands out in the autumn.”

4. “Wine is the wisdom of the wise, the folly of the fool.”

5. “The affairs of the world are like chess pieces, moving around in endless change.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Estimating the net worth of historical figures like Du Mu is challenging due to the lack of precise financial records from ancient times. However, as a respected poet and government official, Du Mu would have enjoyed a comfortable, though not necessarily wealthy, lifestyle.

Children

There are no detailed records of Du Mu’s children, which is common for many historical figures from ancient China where personal family details were not always well-documented.