황현 黃玹

Late Joseon poet and historian, author of the Maecheon Yarok, who took his life in 1910 in protest at annexation; pen name Maecheon

Life & career

Hwang Hyeon (黃玹, 1855-1910) was a poet and historian of the late Joseon period born in Gwangyang, South Jeolla, of the Jangsu Hwang clan; courtesy name Ungyeong and pen name Maecheon. His father was Hwang Si-muk. He excelled at writing from youth and associated with Kang Wi, Yi Geon-chang and Kim Taek-yeong; the Encyclopedia of Korean Culture says he placed first in a 1883 preliminary examination but was moved to second place because he came from the countryside.

In 1888, at his father's wish, he took the licentiate examination and passed first, but disillusioned with a corrupt officialdom he returned home without office. In Gurye he set up a small study with more than 3,000 books and devoted himself to reading, poetry and history. He is said to have begun the Maecheon Yarok and Ohagimun around 1894 to leave an account to posterity, and also left Maecheonjip, Maecheon Sijip and Dongbi Giryak.

After the 1905 treaty he tried to go into exile with Kim Taek-yeong without success. When the country was annexed in August 1910 he wrote four farewell poems (jeolmyeongsi) and took opium, ending his life. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Merit for National Foundation, Independence Medal, in 1962. Sources give the date of the poems as August or September, and he was 56 by Korean count.

Maecheon Yarok and Ohagimun

The Maecheon Yarok is a chronological history of roughly half a century of late Joseon politics and society and is highly valued as a source. The Ohagimun deals with the Donghak Peasant Movement. The Encyclopedia of Korean Culture says they were begun around 1894 to leave an account for posterity.

Maecheonsa and Relics

Maecheonsa in Suwol-ri, Gwangui-myeon, Gurye, enshrines Hwang Hyeon and is Jeonnam Cultural Heritage Material No. 37. News reports mention six of his relics and writings being designated as cultural properties, and the portrait of him painted by Chae Yong-sin in 1911 is Treasure No. 1494.

Chronology

The order runs: born in Gwangyang 1855; placed first, then moved to second, in the 1883 preliminary round; first place in the 1888 licentiate examination; retirement to Gurye; beginning the Maecheon Yarok and Ohagimun about 1894; unsuccessful attempt at exile after the 1905 treaty; death by his own hand in 1910 leaving four poems; and the Independence Medal in 1962.

His farewell poem was published in a newspaper, leading to the Gyeongnam Ilbo press case, and the Maecheonjip was published after his death. His house site at Gurye has a shrine and a museum for his belongings.

Grave

Near Maecheonsa, Suwol-ri, Gwangui-myeon, Gurye-gun, South Jeolla (Maecheonsa is Jeonnam Cultural Heritage Material No. 37)

Descendants

Hwang Ui-don is a kinsman; Wikipedia describes him as a distant nephew. See also the Jangsu Hwang clan page.

Other 장수 황씨 figures