Tang Xianzu

Tang Xianzu (1550–1616) was a Ming playwright born in Linchuan, Jiangxi. After passing the provincial exam, he twice failed the metropolitan test for refusing to help grand secretary Zhang Juzheng's sons, and became a jinshi only in 1583.

His memorials attacked corruption; a 1591 attack on court officials had him demoted to Guangdong. He later governed Suichang County but, frustrated by official constraints, retired to Linchuan in 1598.

His plays, known as the Four Dreams, include The Peony Pavilion, in which the love of Du Liniang and Liu Mengmei conquers death. He founded the Linchuan school.