T'ang poet, a more serious contemporary contemporary with Li Po and the other greats of the period (Wang Wei, Han Yu, Chang Chi). Generally speaking, Tu Fu is considered the Confucian counterpart to the zen-like style of Li Po.
Born in 712, passed the highest civil service examination ranks except that of Presented Scholar. Refused a position as a district police commisioner and moved into a thatched cottage in Cheng-tu, Szechwan. Wrote of the political landscape of the day.