Zhang Dai

Zhang Dai (張岱; pinyin: Zhāng Dài, courtesy name: Zongzi (宗子), pseudonym: Tao'an (陶庵)) (1597–1684) was a Chinese essayist and historian. He was a gentleman essayist who was a biographer of his own privileged aristocratic family, a historian of the Ming Dynasty, and a biographer of notable virtuous figures. He wrote his own obituary which included the lines : ''He loved pretty maidservants, he loved handsome serving boys . . . he loved perfect food . . . he loved paintings of flowers and birds.''

Zhang was a prolific writer, having penned more than thirty books covering literature and history; however only a few of Zhang's numerous works remain extant today.

Zhang Dai's most famous books are:

* ''Tao An Meng Yi'' (陶庵夢憶 ''Reminiscences in Dreams of Tao An''), written ca. 1665. * ''Xi Hu Meng Xun'' (西湖夢尋 ''Search The West Lake in Dreams'') Provided by Wikipedia