An Dang

An Dang (安瑭, 1461 – 1521) was a civil official of the early Joseon period..¹ His courtesy name was Eonbo (彦寶), his art name Yeongmodang (永慕堂), his posthumous name Jeongmin (貞愍), and his family seat was Sunheung. He was a descendant of An Hyang, he promoted Jo Gwang-jo and other Sarim scholars, and he also served as their political patron. He was the nephew of An Ji-gwi (paternal first cousin once removed).

He was the 8th-generation descendant of Munseong-gong An Hyang and the son of An Donhu. In 1480 he passed the Seonggyungsi examination, and in 1481 he passed the royal literary civil service examination in the lowest rank, becoming a royal historiographer. In 1499 he became Saseong and took part in compiling the Annals of King Seongjong. He later served as Grand Minister of Censorship (Daesagan).

After the Jungjong Restoration in 1506, he was registered as a Second-Class Merit Subject of the Wonjong merit subjects, part of the Jeongguk group. In 1507 he handled the trial of Yi Gwa and was recorded as a Third-Class Merit Subject of the Jeongnan merit subjects. After serving as Minister of Revenue, Minister of War, Minister of Public Works, and Minister of Personnel, he became Right State Councillor in 1518 and rose to Left State Councillor in 1519.

However, when he tried to save Jo Gwang-jo and his new political faction, who had been imprisoned in the Gimyo Purge, he was dismissed from office. In 1521 he was implicated in the Sinsa Incident, and he and his son were given poison and executed. Later, after Seonjo took the throne, he was pardoned and rehabilitated, and the posthumous name Jeongmin was bestowed upon him.