叶梦得

Ye Mengde was a literary figure of the Song dynasty. Public information about him is limited, and details such as his birth and death years, native place, and official career remain unverified. The library holds nine of his works, covering poetry, poetic criticism, notes, and essays, which shows the breadth of his writing. Representative works include Shilin Shihua (Remarks on Poetry from Shilin), Shilin Ci, Shilin Yanyu, Bishu Luhua, and the Jiankang Collection. Among them, Shilin Shihua comments on poetry in a leisurely manner, paying attention to phrasing and intention, and is one of the more influential works of Song poetic criticism. Shilin Ci is clear and graceful in style, often treating personal feelings and everyday scenery. Shilin Yanyu and Bishu Luhua are note-style works recording court and local observations, institutional lore, and reading reflections, possessing both historical and literary value. Overall, Ye Mengde's writing spans creative work and criticism, with varied subjects and a plain yet refined language, giving him a place in categories such as classical poetry, literary appreciation, and Eastern philosophy.