吴乘权

Wu Chengquan is known as one of the compilers of Guwen Guanzhi, a classic anthology of classical Chinese prose. Public information about his life is limited: his dates of birth and death, native place, and official career are all unknown, and his name has come down to us mainly through this anthology. The library holds thirteen works associated with him, all of them volume divisions of Guwen Guanzhi, which shows that his editorial work centered on famous prose pieces from successive dynasties, ranging from the pre-Qin period to the Ming dynasty, with short, refined selections suited to recitation. As a primer for traditional elementary education and an introduction to classical Chinese, this kind of anthology emphasizes exemplary and readable pieces and has long circulated among readers, helping beginners become familiar with classical expression and appreciate the craft of ancient prose. In the library his works are classified under inspirational growth and historical reading, reflecting their use in education and the popularization of literature and history.