Fan Ye

Fan Ye (398–445), courtesy name Weizong, was a native of Shunyang (present-day Xichuan, Henan) and a historian and man of letters of the Liu Song dynasty. He held posts including Secretary Director, Governor of Xuancheng, General of the Left Guard, and Crown Prince's Household Manager. From 432 onward he drew on various histories of the Later Han to compile the ninety-volume annals and biographies of the Book of the Later Han, which together with the Records of the Grand Historian, the Book of Han, and the Records of the Three Kingdoms is known as one of the "Four Histories." It remains a key source for the Eastern Han. In 445 he was killed after becoming entangled in political strife. Beyond historiography, Fan Ye was also an accomplished writer whose style left its mark on Southern Dynasties letters. Nine of his works are held here, mostly editions and interpretations of the Book of the Later Han alongside literary appreciation, reflecting his combination of historical craft and literary talent.