Governor of Gyeongju and upright official, eldest son of Ma Cheon-mok; posthumous title Chungan
| Life | 1393 ~ 1463 |
| Era | 조선 전기 |
| Clan | 장흥 마씨 |
Ma Seung (1393-1463) was an early Joseon official of the Jangheung Ma clan, courtesy name Nobu, pen name Jigok and posthumous title Chungan. He was born at Dangsan village in Gokseong, Jeolla; his father was Prince of Jangheung Ma Cheon-mok and his mother Lady Yi of Gyeongju. His younger brothers were Ma Jeon, Ma Ban and Ma Chun; his wife was Lady Yi of Deoksu and his sons Ma Jung-ui, Ma Jung-ji and Ma Jung-gyu.
He entered office through hereditary privilege in 1410 and served as bodyguard, then as Byeongjo Jwarang and Chunchugwan editor, and held many military posts such as Hogun, Daehogun and Sanghogun. He served as governor of Hongju, regional commander of Gyeongsang, governor of Anju, Gangye and Jeolla, and as Pyeongan commander, Gangwon inspector and Chungcheong commander. In 1449 he visited Ming as part of a congratulatory mission, and served as Jungchuwon Busa, Gaeseong Yusa, Dongji Jungchuwonsa, Vice Minister of Personnel and Jungchuwonsa.
In 1455 he became governor of Gyeongju as Jahyeon Daebu, and in 1457 was ennobled Lord of Jangheung in the senior first rank. After Sejo's usurpation he gave up office and returned home, and on hearing of the events following the Danjong restoration plot he is said to have wept and shut himself in. He was praised as an upright official, and Sejo is said to have suspended court for two days on news of his death. Sejo posthumously made him Left State Councillor; he is enshrined at Hwasan Seowon in Uiseong and his rites are held in Gokseong. He is introduced as founder of the Mungan-gong branch. The source article contains a non-existent date, 30 February 1442, which is not cited here.
He was praised as upright in office. Wikipedia explains his title Chungan as combining chung (integrity, fairness) and gan (reverence, generosity).
After Sejo's usurpation he is said to have given up office and returned home. See the Jangheung Ma page.
His rites are held in Gokseong; the tomb location was not confirmed.
His sons were Ma Jung-ui, Ma Jung-ji and Ma Jung-gyu.