PersonPolitics

Yi Deok-mu

Yi Deok-mu (Korean: 이덕무; July 23, 1741 – March 7, 1793) was a [[Bukhak]] [[Silhak]] scholar of late [[Joseon]]. He was famous as a so-called Ganseochi (看書癡), meaning "a fool who only reads books." His family seat was Jeonju (全州), and he was a tenth-generation descendant of Yi Seonsaeng (李善生), Prince

Born~Died 1741 ~ 17930 views in 30 daysLast edited Oct 15, 2026, 2:51 PM

日本語 · 李徳懋 한국어 · 이덕무

Details

Born ~ Died: 1741 ~ 1793
Other names: Seongyulja, Ganseochi
Courtesy name: Mugwan
Art names: Hyeongam, Ajeong, Cheonjanggwan
Born: July 23, 1741 (1741-07-23)
Died: March 7, 1793 (1793-03-07) (age 51)
Nationality: Joseon
Occupation: Silhak scholar

Contents

1.Life
2.Career
3.Family
4.Works
5.Actors who have portrayed Yi Deok-mu
5.1.Television
5.2.Film
6.Notes

Yi Deok-mu (Korean: 이덕무; July 23, 1741 (June 11, lunar calendar) – March 7, 1793 (January 25, lunar calendar)) was a Bukhak Silhak scholar of late Joseon.

He was famous as a so-called Ganseochi (看書癡), meaning "a fool who only reads books." His family seat was Jeonju (全州), and he was a tenth-generation descendant of Yi Seonsaeng (李善生), Prince Murim, the youngest son of King Jeongjong, the second king of Joseon. His courtesy name was Mugwan (懋官),¹ and his art names (號) were Hyeongam (炯庵), Ajeong (雅亭), and Cheonjanggwan (靑莊館), among others.² His other name was Seongyulja (蟬橘子). As mentioned above, he was also famous as the national Ganseochi of the Joseon era (朝鮮時代國民看書癡).

Life

Although he showed erudition in many fields, ranging from classics and histories (經史) to strange texts and rare books (奇文異書), he was not promoted to high office because he was of secondary-descendant (서얼) origin.³ Early on, together with Yu Deuk-gong, Park Je-ga, and Yi Seo-gu, he published the Sagasijip (四家詩集) Geonyeonjip (巾衍集) and gained fame as a writer. He was also on close terms with the scholar Hong Dae-yong of the Damheon style.⁴

In 1778 (2nd year of King Jeongjo), he accompanied the secretary Sim Yeom-jo (沈念祖), who was then Seogwanjang (書狀官), to the Qing dynasty, where he associated with leading scholars such as Gi Gyun (紀均), Ban Jeong-gyun (潘庭筠), Yi Jo-won (李調元), and Yi Jeong-won (李鼎元). He also brought back many materials and works on evidential scholarship from the Qing, which developed his own scholarship. After returning home, he advocated Bukhak (北學).

Together with Park Je-ga, Yu Deuk-gong, and Seo I-su (徐理修), he became a Kyujanggak Geomseogwan (檢書官), and with them he became famous as one of the Four Geomseogwan (四檢書官). During his service, he actively took part in compiling the Kyujanggak collections and organized and collated many books, including Dosojipseong (도서집성), Gukjo Bogam (국조보감), Daejeon Tongpyeon (대전통편), Gyujanggakji (규장각지), Hongmungwanji (홍문관지), and Gyujang Jeonun (奎章全韻).

His writings were gathered by his son Yi Gwang-gyu into the Cheongjanggwan Jeonseo (靑莊館全書). After his death, the Ajeong Yugo (雅亭遺稿), which Yi Deok-mu himself had selected, was published by special order of King Jeongjo. His biographical record (行狀) was written by the writer Park Ji-won of Yeonam.⁵

Career

1741 (18th year of King Yeongjo), June 11, born⁶ (age 1)
1774 (50th year of King Yeongjo), autumn, passed the preliminary examination (初試) of the Jeunggwang (增廣) special examination⁷ (age 34)
1779 (3rd year of King Jeongjo), June 1, Geomseogwan of the outer office (外閣, Gyoseogwan) (age 39)
1781 (5th year of King Jeongjo), January 21, Geomseogwan of the inner office (內閣, Kyujanggak) (age 41)
1781 (5th year of King Jeongjo), March 18, promoted to 6th rank
1781 (5th year of King Jeongjo), December 27, Chalbang of Sageundo concurrently Geomseogwan of Kyujanggak
1783 (7th year of King Jeongjo), November 22, Jubu of Gwangheungchang (age 43)
1784 (8th year of King Jeongjo), February 25, Jubu of Sawongwon (age 44)
1784 (8th year of King Jeongjo), June 12, Park-sa of Gyoseogwan
1784 (8th year of King Jeongjo), June 29, Magistrate of Jeoksong (積城) concurrently Geomseogwan of Kyujanggak
1787 (11th year of King Jeongjo), February 8, Geomseogwan of Kyujanggak (age 47)
1787 (11th year of King Jeongjo), May 9, Magistrate of Jeoksong concurrently Geomseogwan of Kyujanggak⁸
1787 (11th year of King Jeongjo), August 22, promoted to 4th rank
1788 (12th year of King Jeongjo), June 10, dismissed from Geomseogwan post⁹ (age 48)
1789 (13th year of King Jeongjo), June 20, Byeolje of Wase (瓦署) (age 49)
1790 (14th year of King Jeongjo), June 17, Byeolje of Wase concurrently Geomseogwan of Kyujanggak (age 50)
1790 (14th year of King Jeongjo), July 4, Jubu of Sadosi concurrently Geomseogwan of Kyujanggak¹⁰
1791 (15th year of King Jeongjo), March 18, Byeolje of Jangwonseo concurrently Geomseogwan of Kyujanggak¹¹ (age 51)
1793 (17th year of King Jeongjo), January 25, died¹² (age 53)

Family

Great-grandfather: Yi Sang-ham (李尙馠, May 10, 1647 – June 20, 1678), Tongdeoklang (通德郎)
Great-grandmother: Lady Shin of Geochang (居昌慎氏, February 19, 1647 – December 15, 1698), daughter of Shin I-jung (慎爾中)
- Grandfather: Yi Pil-ik (李必益, January 18, 1660 – April 16, 1730), Magistrate of Gangye and Military Commander
- Grandmother: Lady An of Sunheung (順興安氏, March 6, 1655 – January 18, 1717), daughter of An Hong-seon (安弘善)¹³
  - Father: Yi Seong-ho (李聖浩, 1718 – February 23, 1793),¹⁴ Tongdeoklang
  - Mother: Lady Park of Bannam (潘南朴氏, 1720 – May 1, 1765), daughter of Park Sa-ryeom (朴師濂), Magistrate of Asan¹⁵
    - Self: Yi Deok-mu (李德懋, June 11, 1741 – January 25, 1793), Geomseogwan, Magistrate
    - Wife: Sukin (淑人) Lady Baek of Suwon (水原白氏, February 27, 1741 – March 21, 1817), daughter of Baek Sa-gwang (白師宏, 1721 – 1792), Jidong Jungchubusa¹⁶
      - Son: Yi Gwang-gyu (李光葵, June 21, 1765 – December 1, 1818), Geomseogwan,¹⁷ Magistrate
      - Son's wife: Lady Jeong of Dongnae (東萊鄭氏, 1764 – February 9, 1839)
        
        Grandson 1: Yi Gyu-gyeong (李圭景, August 5, 1788 – May 16, 1856)¹⁸
        
        Grandson 1's wife: Lady Jo of Haman (咸安趙氏, August 25, 1786 – January 29, 1833), daughter of Jo Su-jin (趙秀鎭)
        
        Grandson 2: Yi Gyu-jeong (李圭井, November 4, 1796 – March 9, 1834), military examination passer¹⁹
        
        Grandson 2's wife: Lady Kim of Andong (安東金氏, August 25, 1786 – January 29, 1833), daughter of Magistrate Kim Choe-haeng (金最行)
        
        Grandson 3: Yi Gyu-dal (李圭達, March 21, 1801 – February 27, 1860)
        
        Grandson 3's wife A: Lady Yi of Gyeongju (慶州李氏, 1802 – May 26, 1833)

Works

Gwandok Ilgi (觀讀日記; Diary of Reading)
Ginyeon Aram (紀年兒覽): co-written with Yi Man-un
Noeroe Nakrakseo (磊磊落落書)
Sasojeol (士小節; Minor Rules for Scholars)
Aengyeopgi (盎葉記)
Yeolsang Bang-eon (洌上方言)
Yeongcheo Munggo (영처문고)
Yeongcheo Sigo (영처시고)
Yegigo (禮記考)
Imok Gusimseo (이목구심서)
Ipyeongi (入燕記)
Cheonae Jigiseo (天涯知己書)
Cheongbirok (淸脾錄)
Pyeonchan Japgo (편찬잡고)
Hanjukdang Seopil (한죽당섭필)
Hyeopjugi (峽舟記)
Geonyeonjip: co-written with Yu Deuk-gong, Park Je-ga, and Yi Seo-gu

Actors who have portrayed Yi Deok-mu

Television

Shin Seong-gyun – 2007 (Yi San), MBC

Film

Cha Tae-hyun – 2012 (Gone with the Wind)

This article includes material based on the entry "Rise of Silhak" (〈실학의 융성〉) from the Global World Encyclopedia, distributed under the GFDL or CC-SA license by Daum Communications (now Kakao).

Notes

This is the courtesy name he adopted on January 1, 1768, at age 28. His earlier courtesy name was Myeongsuk (明叔). ↩
He also used the art names Danjwaheon (端坐軒), Jueochungeojae (注蟲魚齋), Hakchomokdang (學草木堂), Hyangchowon (香草園), Taeng (蕩宕), Sasijaegeosa (四以齋居士), Haksangchonbu (鶴上村夫), Hanjukdang (寒竹堂), and Iam Geosa (以菴居士). ↩
It was not he himself but his father, Yi Seong-ho, who was of secondary-descendant status. Descendants of secondary-descendants are themselves of secondary-descendant status. ↩
Appendix to the Ajeong Yugo, 〈Seongo Bugun Yusa (先考府君遺事)〉 ↩
Yeonamjip (燕巖集), vol. 3, 〈Hyeongam Haengjang (炯菴行狀)〉 ↩
He was born at the family home in Daesadong 4-ga, Gwaninbang, Jungbu, Hanseong-bu. Cheongjanggwan Jeonseo, vol. 70, 〈Seongo Jeoksong Hyeongun Yeonbo Sang (先考積城縣監府君年譜上)〉 ↩
This was a special examination held to celebrate the year when King Yeongjo had ruled for 50 years and had held his royal wedding with Queen Jeongsun for 16 years. The preliminary examination began on November 4, and the final examination (jeonsi) was held on November 28. Yi Deok-mu passed this preliminary examination and never afterward studied for or sat the civil service examinations again. ↩
Governor of Gyeonggi Province Seo Yu-bang (徐有防) asked King Jeongjo to let him keep his post as magistrate. ↩
His younger brother Yi Gong-mu became a new Geomseogwan, and Yi Deok-mu's concurrent post as Geomseogwan was therefore dismissed. ↩
He was replaced by exchanging his position with Yu Deuk-gong (柳得恭).

Yi Deok-mu (Korean: 이덕무; July 23, 1741 (June 11, lunar calendar) – March 7, 1793 (January 25, lunar calendar)) was a Bukhak Silhak scholar of late Joseon.

Life

🤖 This page was machine-translated by AI from 한국어 “이덕무”. Please fix any mistakes.

This page is based on “이덕무” from 한국어 위키백과, (r38797962) CC BY-SA 4.0 used under the license. The original authors are listed in its page history.

Last edited Oct 15, 2026, 2:51 PM · r85401 · Text is available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Opinions 0

No opinions yet. Be the first.

This is the courtesy name he adopted on January 1, 1768, at age 28. His earlier courtesy name was Myeongsuk (明叔). ↩
He also used the art names Danjwaheon (端坐軒), Jueochungeojae (注蟲魚齋), Hakchomokdang (學草木堂), Hyangchowon (香草園), Taeng (蕩宕), Sasijaegeosa (四以齋居士), Haksangchonbu (鶴上村夫), Hanjukdang (寒竹堂), and Iam Geosa (以菴居士). ↩
It was not he himself but his father, Yi Seong-ho, who was of secondary-descendant status. Descendants of secondary-descendants are themselves of secondary-descendant status. ↩
Appendix to the Ajeong Yugo, 〈Seongo Bugun Yusa (先考府君遺事)〉 ↩
Yeonamjip (燕巖集), vol. 3, 〈Hyeongam Haengjang (炯菴行狀)〉 ↩
He was born at the family home in Daesadong 4-ga, Gwaninbang, Jungbu, Hanseong-bu. Cheongjanggwan Jeonseo, vol. 70, 〈Seongo Jeoksong Hyeongun Yeonbo Sang (先考積城縣監府君年譜上)〉 ↩
This was a special examination held to celebrate the year when King Yeongjo had ruled for 50 years and had held his royal wedding with Queen Jeongsun for 16 years. The preliminary examination began on November 4, and the final examination (jeonsi) was held on November 28. Yi Deok-mu passed this preliminary examination and never afterward studied for or sat the civil service examinations again. ↩
Governor of Gyeonggi Province Seo Yu-bang (徐有防) asked King Jeongjo to let him keep his post as magistrate. ↩
His younger brother Yi Gong-mu became a new Geomseogwan, and Yi Deok-mu's concurrent post as Geomseogwan was therefore dismissed. ↩
He was replaced by exchanging his position with Yu Deuk-gong (柳得恭). ↩
Yi Deok-mu's final rank was Senior Third Rank Tonghun Daebu or Junior Third Rank Jungjik Daebu (Jung-hun Daebu). This is because his wife was granted the title Sukin (淑人), given to the wife of a holder of Junior Third Rank or Lower Third Rank. ↩
He died at the family home in Taemyo-dong, Hanseong-bu. It is said that from January 18 his cold, phlegm, and cough worsened. Cheongjanggwan Jeonseo, vol. 71, 〈Seongo Jeoksong Hyeongun Yeonbo Ha (先考積城縣監府君年譜下)〉 ↩
Because Yi Deok-mu's father Yi Seong-ho was born to a concubine, Yi Seong-ho's birth mother was not Lady An. In other words, she was Yi Pil-ik's legal wife. ↩
He was the seventh son of Yi Ik-pil. The six legitimate sons of Yi Ik-pil, Yi Seong-ho's father, were Yi Seong-gi (李聖驥), Yi Seong-bong (李聖鳳), Yi Seong-yu (李聖濡), Yi Seong-jun (李聖駿), Yi Seong-ok (李聖沃), and Yi Seong-ho, all of whom were born to concubines. Yi Ik-pil adopted Yi Seong-rin (李聖麟), the son of his uncle Yi Pil-tae (李必泰), as his heir. ↩
The status of Yi Deok-mu's maternal grandfather Park Sa-ryeom was also seopa (庶派, secondary descent). Park Sa-ryeom's father was Park Pil-seong (朴弼成), Geumpyeongwi (錦平尉), husband of Princess Sukryeong (淑寧翁主). Seungjeongwon Ilgi, entry of December 22, 11th year of King Yeongjo, Eulmyo (1735) ↩
Baek Sa-gwang's son by a secondary wife, that is, Yi Deok-mu's brother-in-law, was Baek Dong-su (白東脩, 1743 – 1816), who compiled the Muyedotbo Tongji (武藝圖譜通志). ↩
He was specially selected as a Geomseogwan after Yi Deok-mu's death. ↩
His childhood name was Yi Mun-gil (李文吉). ↩
He was adopted by Yi Eun-seop (李殷燮), the second son of Yi Deok-mu's younger brother Yi Gong-mu. ↩
He was Yi Deok-mu's full younger brother. He was adopted by Yi Seong-ok (李聖沃). ↩
He was Yi Deok-mu's full younger brother. He passed the military examination on September 27, 1791 (15th year of King Jeongjo) and was adopted by Yi Seong-yu (李聖濡). ↩

This is the courtesy name he adopted on January 1, 1768, at age 28. His earlier courtesy name was Myeongsuk (明叔). ↩
He also used the art names Danjwaheon (端坐軒), Jueochungeojae (注蟲魚齋), Hakchomokdang (學草木堂), Hyangchowon (香草園), Taeng (蕩宕), Sasijaegeosa (四以齋居士), Haksangchonbu (鶴上村夫), Hanjukdang (寒竹堂), and Iam Geosa (以菴居士). ↩
It was not he himself but his father, Yi Seong-ho, who was of secondary-descendant status. Descendants of secondary-descendants are themselves of secondary-descendant status. ↩
Appendix to the Ajeong Yugo, 〈Seongo Bugun Yusa (先考府君遺事)〉 ↩
Yeonamjip (燕巖集), vol. 3, 〈Hyeongam Haengjang (炯菴行狀)〉 ↩
He was born at the family home in Daesadong 4-ga, Gwaninbang, Jungbu, Hanseong-bu. Cheongjanggwan Jeonseo, vol. 70, 〈Seongo Jeoksong Hyeongun Yeonbo Sang (先考積城縣監府君年譜上)〉 ↩
This was a special examination held to celebrate the year when King Yeongjo had ruled for 50 years and had held his royal wedding with Queen Jeongsun for 16 years. The preliminary examination began on November 4, and the final examination (jeonsi) was held on November 28. Yi Deok-mu passed this preliminary examination and never afterward studied for or sat the civil service examinations again. ↩
Governor of Gyeonggi Province Seo Yu-bang (徐有防) asked King Jeongjo to let him keep his post as magistrate. ↩
His younger brother Yi Gong-mu became a new Geomseogwan, and Yi Deok-mu's concurrent post as Geomseogwan was therefore dismissed. ↩
He was replaced by exchanging his position with Yu Deuk-gong (柳得恭).

Yi Deok-mu

Life

Career

Family

Works

Actors who have portrayed Yi Deok-mu

Television

Film

Notes

Life

Opinions 0

Career

Family

Works

Actors who have portrayed Yi Deok-mu

Television

Film

Notes

Other languages

Sub-pages

Life

Career

Family

Works

Actors who have portrayed Yi Deok-mu

Television

Film

Notes

Opinions 0

Yi Deok-mu

Life

Career

Family

Works

Actors who have portrayed Yi Deok-mu

Television

Film

Notes

Footnotes

Life

Opinions 0

Career

Family

Works

Actors who have portrayed Yi Deok-mu

Television

Film

Notes

Footnotes

Other languages

Sub-pages

Life

Career

Family

Works

Actors who have portrayed Yi Deok-mu

Television

Film

Notes

Footnotes

Opinions 0