Su Song

Timeline

1. 1020–1042Tong'an, Quanzhou · Tong'anBorn in Tong'an, Quanzhou, in the fourth year of Tianxi. In youth he studied Confucian learning, also mastering mathematics, materia medica, and mechanical arts; passed the jinshi examination in the second year of Qingli, entering the academy and local officialdom.
2. 1042–1085Bianjing · Kaifeng PrefectureAfter passing the exam he served as investigative judge of Suzhou, collator in the academy, prefect, and other posts, participated in revising the materia medica and correcting medical texts, and long attended to the armillary sphere, clepsydra, and administrative affairs, storing up knowledge for later work on astronomical instruments.
3. 1086–1092Bianjing · Kaifeng PrefectureEarly in Yuanyou he was ordered to inspect the armillary sphere of the Astronomical Bureau and recommended Han Gonglian, a Ministry of Personnel clerk versed in the Nine Chapters' right-triangle mathematics. The two designed a water-powered clock tower driven by a water wheel, tianguan, and tiansuo, combining observation, demonstration, and timekeeping in one tower, completed in Bianjing in 1092.
4. 1093–1101Bianjing · Kaifeng PrefectureAround Shaosheng he completed Xinyixiang Fayao, with illustrations explaining the gear trains, tianheng, and armillary sphere structure. Later he rose to Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs and Vice Director of the Secretariat, dying in the first year of Jianzhong Jingguo; a rare scientist-chancellor of the Northern Song.