Sin Gyeong-jun

Sin Gyeong-jun (申景濬, 19 May 1712 (15th day of 4th lunar month) – 12 June 1781 (21st day of 5th lunar month)) was a literary official, Silhak scholar, and geographer of late Joseon. His courtesy name was Sunmin (舜民), his art name was Yeoam (旅庵), and his family seat was Goryeong (高靈).

Life

He was born as the son of Jinsa Nae (淶), the 11th-generation descendant of Sin Malju (申末舟), the younger brother of Sin Sukju (申叔舟). His mother was from the Hansan Yi clan and was the daughter of Yi Uihong (李儀鴻). He passed the civil service examination in 1754 (30th year of King Yeongjo) and afterward served as Jeonjeok (典籍), Jeongeon (正言), Jangnyeong (掌令), Sagan, and other posts. Until age 33 he moved between several places, and from age 33 to 43 he lived in seclusion in his hometown, devoting himself to writing; most of his works were completed during this period.¹

In particular, the Hunminjeongeum Unhae (訓民正音韻解), which he wrote in 1750 (26th year of King Yeongjo), introduced Hunminjeongeum through tables of Sino-Korean phonology and left a major achievement in the scientific study of Hangul. In 1770 (46th year of King Yeongjo), while compiling the Munhon Bigo (文獻備考), he was in charge of the "Yeoji-go" (輿地考) section and completed the Paldo Jido (八道地圖) and Dongguk Yeoji-do (東國輿地圖).²

After that, he served in various local posts, and in 1779 (3rd year of King Jeongjo) he returned to his hometown of Sunchang to live.¹

Evaluation

He was learned and had broad knowledge, mastering official affairs as well as music (聲律), medicine and divination (醫卜), law, and rare books (奇書). Using textual research methods grounded in Silhak thought, he pioneered .