서유구 徐有榘
Practical-learning scholar and agricultural reformer, author of the Imwon gyeongje ji; chief academician; pen name Pungseok; posthumous name Mungan
| Life | 1764 ~ 1845 |
| Era | 조선 후기 |
| Clan | 대구 서씨 |
Life & career
Seo Yu-gu (1764-1845) was a late-Joseon practical-learning scholar, agricultural reformer and author of the Daegu Seo clan. Courtesy name Junpyeong, pen name Pungseok, posthumous name Mungan, he was a grandson of Seo Myeong-eung and the natural son of Seo Ho-su, but was adopted by his uncle Seo Cheol-su.
He passed the civil examination in 1790 as a selected royal scholar (Chogye munsin) and served as Daegyo and Geomyeol. In 1797 he edited the Hyangrye happyeon by royal command. After Jeongjo's death in 1800, when his uncle Seo Hyeong-su was driven from government, he resigned in 1806 and lived as a farmer for 18 years. Returning under Sunjo, he served as Magistrate of Uiju, Principal of the Seonggyungwan, Governor of Ganghwa, minister in the ministries of Works, Justice, Rites, Taxation, Personnel and Military Affairs, Inspector-General, Right and Left Consultant and chief academician.
In 1834, witnessing famine in Honam, he is said to have obtained sweet potato seeds through a Korean mission to Japan and distributed them to counties, and he urged farming reform in writings such as the Jongjeo-bo. Over more than thirty years, drawing on 892 Korean and Chinese texts, he completed the Imwon gyeongje ji, an encyclopedia of agriculture and daily life, but could not publish it for lack of funds. He died at Dureung in Namyangju, Gyeonggi, aged 82.
Office and Retreat
He passed the examination in 1790, but when his uncle Seo Hyeong-su was expelled he resigned in 1806 and lived in the countryside for 18 years, returning under Sunjo and rising to chief academician.
Imwon gyeongje ji
This encyclopedia of 113 volumes is divided into 16 sections including Bonni-ji, Gwanhyu-ji, Yewon-ji, Manhak-ji, Jeongo-ji, Jeongjo-ji, Seomyong-ji, Yuye-ji, Iun-ji and Sangtaek-ji.
Sweet Potatoes and Farm Policy
After seeing famine in Honam he distributed sweet potato seeds and argued for farming reform in writings such as the Jongjeo-bo.
Grave
He is said to have died at Dureung in Namyangju, Gyeonggi; the exact tomb location was not confirmed here.
Descendants
His son Seo U-bo is said to have helped compile the Imwon gyeongje ji. The Pungseok Foundation, founded in 2015, supports its translation.