Chŏng Yagyong

Chŏng Yagyong (Korean: 정약용; Hanja: 丁若鏞; 1762 – 1836) was a Korean agronomist, philosopher, and poet. He is also known by his art name Tasan (다산; 茶山; lit. tea mountain). He was one of the greatest thinkers in the later Joseon period, wrote highly influential books about philosophy, science and theories of government, held significant administrative positions, and was noted as a poet. He was a close confidant of King Jeongjo and his philosophical position is often identified with the Silhak school, and his concerns are better seen as explorations of neo-Confucian themes.

Chŏng was born in Namyangju (then Gwangju), Gyeonggi Province, where he also died. He spent 18 years in exile in Gangjin County, South Jeolla Province, from 1801 until 1818, on account of his membership of the Southerners faction, and also because of his older brother's Catholic faith. Korean Catholics sometimes claim that Chŏng was baptized with the name John Baptist, but there is no documentary proof of this.

Chŏng Yagyong came from the Naju Chŏng clan. At birth he was given the childhood name, Kwinong (歸農), and later he was also known by the courtesy names Miyong (美鏞) and Songbu (頌甫)美庸); among his art names were Saam (俟菴), T'agong (籜翁), T'aesu (苔叟), Chahadoin (紫霞道人), Ch'ŏlmasanin (鐵馬山人), Tasan (茶山), Yŏyudang (與猶堂, the name of his house).