Left State Councillor who helped King Sejo take the throne; Gilchang Buwongun; pen name Sohandang
| Life | 1416 ~ 1465 |
| Era | 조선 전기 |
| Clan | 안동 권씨 |
Gwon Ram (1416-1465) was an early-Joseon official from Andong, with courtesy name Jeonggyeong, pen names Sohandang and Hujudang, and posthumous title Ikpyeong. He was a grandson of Gwon Geun and son of Gwon Je.
He topped the civil examination in 1450, became a close aide of Grand Prince Suyang (later King Sejo) and took part in the 1453 Gyeyu coup, earning first-class Jeongnan merit. After Sejo's accession he was a first-class Jwaik merit subject enfeoffed as Gilchang-gun, and served as Left State Councillor from 1462.
He grew close to Grand Prince Suyang while taking part in compiling the Yeokdae byeongyo as a Jiphyeonjeon Proofreader in 1451, and thereafter became one of his aides.
In the 1453 Gyeyu coup he led the removal of Kim Jong-seo and Hwangbo In and received first-class Jeongnan merit; after Sejo took the throne in 1455 he was made a first-class Jwaik merit subject and enfeoffed as Gilchang-gun. Records also say he was granted land and slaves of the condemned after the Six Martyrs incident.
After posts including Minister of Personnel and Chief of the Jungchuwon, he became Left State Councillor in 1462. He took part in compiling the Gukjo bogam and Dongguk tonggam, and his Eungje-si ju, an annotation of Gwon Geun's Eungje-si, drew later attention for its Dangun-centered view of history.
The Annals describe him as broad-minded, reserved and thoughtful, yet he was impeached several times over accumulation of wealth and the overreach of his household. After the Sarim faction gained power evaluations were largely critical, and re-assessment began in the modern period.
His sons were Gwon Geol and Gwon Geon; among his sons-in-law were Nam I and Sin Su-geun, whose daughter is known as King Jungjong's first queen, Danggyeong.
He is said to be buried below his father Gwon Je's tomb in Bangchuk-ri, Saenggeuk-myeon, Eumseong. A spirit-path stele was erected in 1467, with the inscription composed by Sin Suk-ju.