李善

Li Shan: his official career, dates of birth and death, and native place are all undocumented, and publicly available information is limited. Two works are extant under his name, the representative works Wen Xuan and Wen Xuan Zhu, commonly classified as classics and foreign literature. The Wen Xuan Zhu is especially valued: Li Shan annotated the Wen Xuan, citing sources profusely and carefully examining wording while explaining allusions and the names and institutions of things, with a rigorous attitude. The annotations themselves possess independent documentary value and are an important aid for studying the Wen Xuan and pre-Tang literature. His annotative style tends toward evidential scholarship, marked by broad learning and meticulousness rather than empty discussion, and has had a profound influence on later Wen Xuan studies. Because biographical material is scarce, his family background, circle of associates, and official career remain largely unknown; readers seeking to understand him should still infer his scholarly orientation from his annotative methods and handling of texts.