Seoin-aligned official who served as Minister of Works and Left Chamchan under Sukjong; pen name Ugok
| Life | 1633 ~ 1706 |
| Era | 조선 후기 |
| Clan | 진천 송씨 |
Song Chang (宋昌, 1633-1706) was a late-Joseon official of the Jincheon clan, with courtesy name Hangyeong and pen name Ugok (藕谷). According to Wikipedia he belonged to the Seoin faction and came from Jeonju. His great-grandfather was Song Yeong-jin, his grandfather Song Heung-si and his father Song Yu-jeon; his mother was a daughter of Yi Jeong of the Hampyeong Yi clan. His wife, of the Neungseong Gu clan, bore no children, so he adopted his five-degree nephew Song Su-ryang. His grandfather had been adopted as heir of Song Yeong-gu.
He passed the 1657 civil examination in the third class, became a lecturer at the Crown Prince's academy in 1658 and helped write the Veritable Records of Hyojong. In 1660, as Gangwon provincial official, he reported to the Board of Rites and had banned the practice of scholars relying on paternal, maternal and wife's family ties for favors and appointments. He then spent many years in remonstrance posts and in 1669 became magistrate of Gimje.
After Hyeonjong's death in 1674 he went to Beijing as secretary of the mission announcing Sukjong's accession, and on return helped compile the Hyeonjong records. In 1675 as royal secretary he defended Kim Man-jung, dismissed in the dispute with the Namin Yun Hyu over mourning dress, and was impeached and dismissed himself.
Returning in 1680, he served as governor of Gangwon (1682) and Hwanghae (1689), chief royal secretary (1697), Vice-Minister of Rites (1699) and governor of Hanseong (1702). He became Right Chamchan in 1703, Minister of Works in 1704 and died in office as Left Chamchan in 1706. His great-great-granddaughter was Lady Sangsan Song, wife of Prince Eunon.
Wikipedia says that in 1660, as Gangwon provincial official, he reported to the Board of Rites on the practice of gentry relying on the three kinship ties (paternal, maternal and wife's family) and had it corrected. The specific measures were not confirmed.
Through his adopted heir Song Su-ryang, his great-great-granddaughter was Lady Sangsan Song.