Wu Yuxiang

Wu Yuxiang was a Chinese martial artist and scholar who lived during the late Qing dynasty. He was born in a wealthy and influential family in Guangfu, Yongnian County, Hebei Province. He studied Confucian classics and passed the imperial examination at the age of 21. He became a government official and served in various positions, such as magistrate, prefect, and salt commissioner. He was also interested in martial arts and became a senior student of Yang Luchan, the founder of Yang-style tai chi. He also learned from Chen Qingping, a master of Chen-style and Zhaobao-style tai chi, for a brief period. Wu developed his own style of tai chi, which was later known as Wu (Hao)-style tai chi, after his nephew Hao Weizhen, who popularized it. Wu also wrote several influential works on tai chi theory, which are collectively known as the tai chi classics. He shared his knowledge and skills with his family members and disciples, such as Li Yiyu, Li Qixuan, and Sun Lutang. Wu died around 1880 in his hometown, where he was buried. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in the history of tai chi.