Science, Medicine & Engineering
Distinguished
Shen Kuo
1031 β 1095
Song polymath who described the magnetic compass
Distinguished is level 3 of 4 in the China Hall of Fame: sustained excellence over a career, widely honoured at home. See how the levels work.
Why they are here
A Song dynasty scientist and official whose Dream Pool Essays contain the earliest known description of the magnetic needle compass.
Shen Kuo served the Song state as an official, envoy and military commander. In his Dream Pool Essays he wrote on astronomy, mathematics, geology, medicine and engineering, describing the compass, movable type printing and the formation of land by erosion and sedimentation.
He is regarded as one of the most remarkable scientific minds in Chinese history.
He is regarded as one of the most remarkable scientific minds in Chinese history.
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