宣鼎

Xuan Ding (1832–1880), courtesy name Zizhong, was a Chinese writer of the late Qing dynasty. Born in Tianchang, Anhui, he led a life of hardship, working as a clerk and private tutor. His literary fame rests on 'Yeyu Qiudeng Lu' (Records of the Night Rain and Autumn Lamp), a collection of over a hundred classical-language tales blending the supernatural with social commentary. The stories, often set in the Jiangnan region, feature ghosts, fox spirits, and scholars, but also reflect on justice, loyalty, and the plight of the common people. Xuan's style is noted for its lyrical prose and psychological depth, earning him a place among the finest zhiguai (tales of the strange) writers of the era. Though he also wrote poetry and other prose, this collection remains his enduring legacy, influencing later Chinese fiction and popular culture.