Jeongguk merit subject (second class) of the Jungjong Restoration; Prince Changnyeong-gun; Inspector-General and Right Chancellor; great-grandson of Jo Sang-chi
| Life | 1466 ~ 1543 |
| Era | 조선 전기 |
| Clan | 창녕 조씨 |
Jo Gye-sang (曺繼商, 1466–1543) was an early-Joseon civil official of the Changnyeong Cho clan, introduced as a great-grandson of Jo Sang-chi. He passed the special civil examination in 1495, joined the Jungjong Restoration of 1506, was named a second-class Jeongguk merit subject, was enfeoffed as Prince Changnyeong-gun and became Inspector-General.
Korean Wikipedia says he reached Right Chancellor, while another source says he was punished in 1531 after a conflict with Kim An-ro and, after Kim was put to death in 1537, was reappointed as Right Chancellor and later became Pan Jungchubu-sa. The year of his Right Chancellor appointment and the exact title differ by source; his son Jo Gwang-won (1492–1573) is introduced as a Pan Jungchubu-sa.
The list of notable people in the Korean Wikipedia article on the clan introduces Jo Gye-sang as great-grandson of Jo Sang-chi. He is said to have passed the special civil examination in the byeong class in 1495 (Yeonsangun 1). There is also a record that his brother Jo Gye-eun (曺繼殷) distinguished himself in the same Restoration, but the details need further confirmation.
For joining the 1506 Jungjong Restoration he was named a second-class Jeongguk merit subject, enfeoffed as Prince Changnyeong-gun and made Inspector-General. One source records that after being punished in 1531 for a conflict with Kim An-ro, he was reappointed Right Chancellor when Kim was put to death in 1537 and rose to Pan Jungchubu-sa. Wikipedia gives Right Chancellor in 1539 and some sources write Right Privy Councillor, so the title is recorded inconsistently.
The Wikipedia list introduces his son Jo Gwang-won (曺光遠, 1492–1573) as having passed the special civil examination and served as Pan Jungchubu-sa. Earlier members of the same clan include Jo Seok-mun (Chief State Councillor) and Jo Wi (Royal Secretary).
His grave has not been confirmed.