Bak Gyusu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Park Gyu-su
박규수 |
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|---|---|
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| Right State Councillor | |
| In office 19 January 1874 – 4 November 1874 |
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| Preceded by | Han Gye-won |
| Succeeded by | Kim Byeong-guk |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 27 October 1807 Gahoe-dong, Hanseong, Kingdom of Joseon |
| Died | 9 February 1877 (aged 69) Suwon-gun, Gyeonggi Province, Kingdom of Joseon |
| Spouse | Lady Yi of the Yeonan Yi clan (연안 이씨) |
| Relations | Park Jon-chae (father) Lady Yu (mother) |
| Children | Park Je-eung |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | |
| Hanja | |
| Revised Romanization | Bak Gyusu |
| McCune–Reischauer | Pak Kyusu |
Bak Gyusu (Korean: 박규수, 朴珪壽; 1807–1877) was an important person in the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. He was a scholar-bureaucrat (someone who studied a lot and worked for the government), a teacher, a politician, and a diplomat. Bak Gyusu is known as a leader of the "enlightenment group." This group wanted to bring new ideas and changes to Korea.
He was the grandson of Park Ji-won, a famous Silhak scholar. Silhak was a practical learning movement in Joseon. Bak Gyusu was also known by several other names, including Hwanjae (환재, 瓛齋), Hwanjae (환재, 桓齋), Heonjae (헌재, 獻齋), and Hwanjaegeosa (환재거사 瓛齋居士).
Who Was Bak Gyusu?
Bak Gyusu was born in 1807. He grew up to be a very smart and thoughtful person. He believed that Korea needed to learn from other countries. He wanted to make Korea stronger and more modern.
Early Life and Influences
In 1827, Bak Gyusu became good friends with Crown Prince Hyomyeong. The Crown Prince often asked Bak Gyusu for his ideas. They talked about important political and social issues. Sadly, the Crown Prince died at age 20, just three years later.
Bak Gyusu was very sad about his friend's death. He stayed away from the outside world for twenty years. This was a time of deep mourning for him.
In 1848, he passed the Gwageo civil service exam. This was a very difficult test. Passing it allowed him to get a good job in the government. This early success helped him start his career.
A Time of Change in Korea
Later in his life, Bak Gyusu became a mentor to other important people. He taught them his ideas about modernizing Korea. One of his students was Pak Yung-hio, a Korean politician. Bak Gyusu also influenced Kim Okgyun, a famous Korean reformer. Kim Okgyun tried to bring foreign science and technology to Korea. He wanted to make Korea strong against other powerful nations like Meiji Japan.
During the time of King Gojong, Bak Gyusu had strong support from the Queen. Queen Sinjeong was the wife of Crown Prince Hyomyeong. This connection helped Bak Gyusu in his work.
The General Sherman Incident
Bak Gyusu was the governor of Pyongan province in 1866. This was when the General Sherman incident happened. This event was very important for Korea. It helped end Korea's policy of staying isolated from the rest of the world.
On July 9, 1866, an American ship called the General Sherman entered Korean waters. It came into the Keupsa Gate without permission. Bak Gyusu warned the ship's crew to leave Joseon. But the crew ignored his warning. They even captured Yi Hyon-Ik, one of Bak Gyusu's officers.
Bak Gyusu was there when Yi Hyon-Ik was rescued. The General Sherman was destroyed on July 24, 1866. This event showed the tensions between Korea and foreign powers.
Later Life and Legacy
In 1872, Bak Gyusu became the Joseon Chief Envoy. This meant he was a top diplomat for Korea. He traveled to the court of the Tongzhi Emperor in China. This role showed his importance in Joseon's foreign relations.
Bak Gyusu's ideas helped shape many future leaders. He is remembered for pushing Korea towards new ways of thinking. He wanted Korea to be strong and open to the world.
What Did Bak Gyusu Write?
Bak Gyusu was a scholar, so he wrote many books and collections of his thoughts. Here are some of his known works:
- Hwanjaejip(환재집 瓛齋集)
- Hwanjaejikgye(환재직계 瓛齋織啓)
- Hwanjaesyugye(환재수계 瓛齋繡啓)
- Geogajapbokgo(거가잡복고 居家雜服攷)
- Sanggodohoimunuirye(상고도회문의례 尙古圖會文儀例)
- Jangammungo(장암문고 莊菴文稿)
- Hwanjaeyugo(환재유고 瓛齋遺稿)
