Making of an Alternative Genealogy? A Copy of "The Records of Eminent Confucians" at the Harvard-Yenching Library
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In 1570, Yu Hŭich’un (1513-1577) began working on “The Records of Eminent Confucians” 儒先錄 (K. Yusŏllok), later named as “The Records of Eminent Confucians of Our Dynasty” 國朝儒先錄 (K. Kukcho yusŏllok), with the blessing of King Sŏnjo (r. 1567-1608). This work authenticated four prominent scholar-officials as worthy of enshrinement at the Temple of Confucius in Korea. Soon after Yu Hŭich’un began working on this project, however, many clamored continuously for changes to the list of names. The Harvard-Yenching’s rare book collection includes a variant copy of “The Records of Eminent Confucians.” Although this copy shares the same title and introductory statement, its content presents an alternative genealogy of Confucians, offering insights into Korea’s intellectual landscape during this period.
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Ilsoo Cho
Florence Levy Kay Fellow in Korean and Japanese History, Department of History, Brandeis University
Ilsoo Cho is a Florence Levy Kay Fellow at Brandeis University, specializing in the political and diplomatic history of Korea’s Chosŏn dynasty. He is currently completing a book manuscript on the history surrounding the reign of King Sŏnjo (r. 1567-1608), and his most recent publications include “Bracing for Disorder: The Red Turbans and Chosŏn-Ming Relations” from Journal of Korean Studies (2025) and “Obscuring Treachery: The Ancestors of Yi Sŏnggye and the Origins of the Chosŏn Dynasty” from Acta Koreana (2025).
Chaired by Sun Joo Kim, Harvard-Yenching Professor of Korean History, Harvard University
Generously supported by the Jeffrey D. and Jean K. Lee Fund at the Korea Institute, Harvard University
