or Ch'ü Yüan
born с 339, Quyi, China
died 278 BC, Hunan
Chinese poet.
Born into the ruling house of Chu, in youth Qu Yuan was a favourite of the region's ruler. Later he was banished and wandered in despair, writing and observing folk customs, which would influence his works. He eventually drowned himself. His most famous poem is the melancholy Lisao ("On Encountering Sorrow"). One of the greatest poets of ancient China, he exerted enormous influence on later poets with his highly original verse.