Who they were
He is famous for a free, romantic voice — wine, the moon, mountains, friendship, and the sorrow of parting.
What they did
He served briefly at Emperor Xuanzong’s court in the Hanlin from 742 to 744, but did not fit court life. During the An Lushan chaos he joined the staff of the Prince of Yong, an imperial prince branded a rebel, was exiled toward Yelang, and was later pardoned.
Legacy
With Du Fu he forms the twin peak of Chinese poetry. His “Quiet Night Thoughts” is memorized by schoolchildren across the Chinese-speaking world.