Top graduate of the 1892 Alseong civil examination; Censorate official
| Life | 1851 ~ 1931 |
| Era | 조선 말기~일제강점기 |
| Clan | 영양 천씨 |
Cheon Gwang-rok (千光祿, 1851-1931) was a late Joseon official of the Yeongyang clan, courtesy name Hwaseon, pen name Maneun. He was born in 1851 in Seonsan (now Jangcheon-myeon, Gumi) and died at age 79 in Uiseong, North Gyeongsang. His father was Cheon Chang-eok, his mother was of the Gwangsan Kim clan, and his wife was a daughter of Bae Se-heon of the Seongsan Bae clan.
In 1892 he topped the Alseong civil examination in the highest class. After serving as Compiler at the Confucian academy he became Inspector of the Censorate in 1893 and in 1894 submitted several memorials urging rejection of Japan. At the end of that year he was appointed Deputy Censor but resigned. He is recorded as the clan's one civil-examination graduate of Joseon.
After the founding of the Korean Empire in 1897 he was appointed to the jade-book office, and in 1900 was given a horse. In 1902 he oversaw construction of Yeonsujeon hall at Gounsa in Uiseong, conducting it transparently without forced labor or embezzlement, winning local praise and Emperor Gojong's trust. After the 1910 annexation he submitted a memorial and returned home.
The Alseong examination was a special examination held after the king paid homage at the Confucian shrine of the academy; topping the highest class was the greatest honor. Given that the clan has only one civil graduate in Joseon records, it is a memorable event for the family.
Yeonsujeon at Gounsa in Uiseong is known as a building connected with Emperor Gojong. That he is said to have run the project without burdening the people shows his reputation.
He died in Uiseong; the location of his tomb was not confirmed.
A great-great-grandson, Cheon Hyeon-je, is recorded.