Kwon U (1363)

Kwon U(權遇, 1363 - 1419) was a scholar of the late Goryeo and early Joseon periods. He was a disciple of Jeong Mong-ju (Poeun) and the teacher of Sejong the Great and Jeong In-ji (Hakyeokjae). His family seat was Andong (安東), and his original name was Kwon Won (權遠) and his original courtesy name was Jungryeo (仲慮), which he later changed to Yeobo (慮甫).

As a child he studied learning, and later became a disciple of Jeong Mong-ju of Poeun. In 1385, the 11th year of King U, he passed the civil service examination and, after serving as an Erudite at Sungkyunkwan, held posts such as Junior Secretary of the Board of Personnel. After the founding of Joseon, he rose to Academician of the Office of Special Advisers. When Grand Prince Chungnyeong (Sejong) was invested as Crown Prince, he became a tutor and taught Sejong the classics and histories. Pen name: Maeheon (梅軒). Son of Kwon Hui (權僖), who served as Acting Chief State Councillor.

Life

As a youth he studied under his elder brother Kwon Keun, and as an adult he studied under Jeong Mong-ju (鄭夢周), passing the civil service examination in 1385, the 11th year of King U. He later became an Erudite at Sungkyunkwan, and at the end of the reign of King Gongyang became Junior Secretary of the Board of Personnel. However, he differed in political views from his teacher Jeong Mong-ju and from fellow disciples such as Kil Jae and Yi Sung-in, and took part in and worked with the faction that supported the dynastic change. Meanwhile, he also showed enthusiasm for education and taught disciples of Jeong In-ji and others.

In July 1392, after the founding of Joseon, he remained in office. He then passed through posts such as Assistant Director of the Office of Editing (校書監丞) and Assistant Director of the Military Supplies Office (軍器監丞), and rose to Academician of the . In 1418, the 18th year of King Taejong, when (忠寧大君) was invested as , he became a tutor (賓客) and lectured on the classics and histories. He died in 1419, after seeing the accession of Sejong.