Scholar who compiled the Jeungbo Munheon Bigo at King Jeongjo's command; courtesy name Jungsim
| Life | 1723 ~ 1797 |
| Era | 조선 후기 |
| Clan | 함평 이씨 |
Yi Man-un (1723-1797) was a late Joseon official and scholar of the Hampyeong Yi clan with courtesy name Jungsim. Known for wide learning, especially in astronomy, calendrical computation, geography and nomenclature, he associated with Silhak scholars such as Yi Deok-mu.
He entered office through the hereditary privilege as a clerk of the Donnyeongbu in 1782, became a director in the Sangseowon in 1783, and served as magistrate of Gimhwa from 1785 to 1787. In 1787 he took part in revising the encyclopedia Dongguk Munheon Bigo from King Yeongjo's reign, and in 1790 presented its enlarged edition, the Jeungbo Munheon Bigo, to King Jeongjo.
In 1796 Jeongjo ordered it supplemented again with events since his accession recorded in the Ilseongnok, and Yi Man-un began the work with Seo Yu-gu and others but died in 1797. His son Yi Yu-jun is said to have continued it and completed it in 1807. His works include Ginyeon Aram, Jodurok, Pungcheon-eum and Jangneungji.
The Dongguk Munheon Bigo is an encyclopedia of Korean institutions and culture produced in Yeongjo's reign. Yi Man-un took part in revising and supplementing it and presented the enlarged edition to Jeongjo in 1790.
The 1796 supplementation, which added contemporary events, was large in scale; he died before it was finished, and his son is said to have completed it.
His works and compilations include Ginyeon Aram, Jodurok, Pungcheon-eum and Jangneungji; the last is introduced as concerning Jangneung, the tomb of King Danjong.
A scholar who associated with Silhak figures such as Yi Deok-mu, he is said to have been counted under Jeongjo among those learned in precedents and statutes for his breadth of learning and textual research.
The location of his tomb was not confirmed.