Zhang Hu (poet)

After travelling to the capital of Chang'an, Zhang was unsuccessful in seeking a position at court. He spent the latter half of his life travelling to famous places and composing poetry. The majority of his surviving poems are on historical topics and famous places he visited in his travels.

Biography

Zhang Hu was born in 792, in Qinghe (modern Qinghe County, Hebei or Shandong) or possibly Nanyang (modern Nanyang, Henan). His courtesy name was Chengji.

Zhang flourished between 820 and 845. Living early on in Gusu, in the Changqing era (821–824) he was summoned to the capital Chang'an on the recommendation of Linghu Chu. Linghu had known Zhang through the 810s, and his recommendation memorial was submitted along with 300 of Zhang's poems. However, he failed to find employment at court due to the opposition of Yuan Zhen, who claimed Zhang lacked literary talent. Zhang moved to Huainan, where he spent his days visiting famous temples and places of scenic beauty and devoting himself to poetry composition.

Later, Zhang retired to Danyang (modern Danyang, Jiangsu), where spent the rest of his days as a private citizen. He likely died in 852 or 853.