공서린 孔瑞麟
Jungjong-era official who served as Inspector-General and Governor of Hwanghae; pen name Hyuam, posthumous title Munheon; linked to Osan Gwolli Shrine
| Life | 1483 ~ 1541 |
| Era | 조선 중기 |
| Clan | 곡부 공씨 |
Life & career
Gong Seo-rin (孔瑞麟, 1483-1541) was a Jungjong-era official, courtesy names Eungseong and Huiseong, pen name Hyuam, posthumous title Munheon. The Encyclopedia of Korean Culture gives his seat as Changwon (today Gokbu). His grandfather was Gong Je-ro, his father Gong Ui-dal, and he was a great-grandson of Gong Suk. He became a licentiate in 1507 and passed the civil examination in the top category the same year.
In 1509, as a junior official, he urged that female musicians not be used at the main-hall banquet, and during the revision of ritual codes worked with Gang Gyeong-seo and Kim An-guk to abolish the Gisinjae rites. After serving as Saganwon Jeongeon, Hongmungwan officer and Saheonbu Jipyeong from 1511, he raised, as Jangnyeong in 1516, the question of heirs for Prince Nosan and Prince Yeonsan, and in 1517 as a lecturer argued for widening the channels of remonstrance. In 1518 he was chosen to read the Seongni Daejeon, but was impeached by the Office of the Inspector-General and left office. Re-employed as Left Senior Secretary in 1519, he was imprisoned with Jo Gwang-jo and other Sarim figures in the Gimyo Purge and soon released.
In 1524, at Nam Gon's recommendation, he became Vice Minister of Works, later serving as Magistrate of Paju, Governor of Hwanghae, Inspector-General and Dongji Jungchubusa. Known for frugality, he was later listed among the incorruptible officials and is said to have argued for the innocence of the Sarim. He died in 1541 and the title Munheon was posthumously conferred in 1792. Because he taught students around Suwon, King Jeongjo had a shrine built there, today's Osan Gwolli Shrine. The shrine's guide calls him a 64th-generation descendant of Confucius, while the Donggukgwolliji says 63rd, so the count varies by source.
Family and Examination
A great-grandson of Gong Suk, with grandfather Gong Je-ro and father Gong Ui-dal, he became a licentiate in 1507 and passed the civil examination in the top category that same year.
As a Censor and Lecturer
He pressed for ending the use of female musicians, abolishing the Gisinjae rites, raising the heir question for Princes Nosan and Yeonsan, and widening remonstrance.
The Gimyo Purge and After
He was jailed with Jo Gwang-jo and others in the 1519 purge and soon freed; from 1524 he served as Vice Minister of Works, then Governor of Hwanghae and Inspector-General. He was listed among the incorruptible officials.
Gwolli Shrine and the Title
King Jeongjo had a shrine built around Suwon where he taught and conferred the title Munheon in 1792. He is a descendant of Gong So.
Grave
The exact tomb location was not confirmed here. Osan Gwolli Shrine, built under King Jeongjo where he taught, survives as Gyeonggi Monument No. 147.
Descendants
Some sources say direct descendants live in Seonsan, Gyeongsang, but this was not verified. Osan Gwolli Shrine, built in his honour, is maintained by descendants and local Confucian scholars.