A Chinese Biographical Dictionary/Wang Hsi-chih
2174 Wang Hsi-chih 王羲之 (T. 逸少). A.D. 321-379. A nephew of Wang Tao (see Ch'i Ch'ien), whose cleverness attracted the notice of Chou I. In his youth he was a diligent student of the Classics and of history, and rose to be a Brigade General; hence he is often mentioned as 王右軍. But it is for his marvellous skill with the pen that he is now remembered, his writing in the li script being "light as floating clouds, vigorous as a startled dragon." He is said to have invented the modern clerkly style; and on one occasion he made a copy of the Tao Tê Ching for a Taoist priest, receiving in return the present of a flock of rare geese. He was the father of seven sons, two of whom, Wang Hui-chih and Wang Hsien-chih, rose to distinction. One of his chief delights was to play with his grandchildren, whom he used to carry about and stuff with sweets. He and Wang Ch'êng and Wang Yüeh were known as the 王氏三少.