Mun Ikchŏm

Mun Ikchŏm (; March 8, 1329July 26, 1398) was a politician and Neo-Confucian scholar of the Goryeo period, who was primarily known for introducing cotton to Korea. His original given name was Ikch'ŏm (), his courtesy name was Ilsin (), and his art names were Saŭn () and Samudang ().

History Mun Ikchŏm was born in Gangseong-hyeon, Jinju-mok, Gyeongsang Province (modern day Danseong-myeon, Sancheong County, South Gyeongsang Province) in 1329. His father was Mun Suksŏn, who had passed the civil service examination but did not work for the government. Mun Ikchŏm started working for the government as a historical recorder in 1360. In 1363, he went to Yuan China as a delegation member from Goryeo dynasty. On the way back to Korea he stole cottonseed in his writing brush cap to bring it secretly into Korea. In 1364, he went back to his home town Jinju to spread the seed and successfully grew one of the seeds he had brought back and continued to grow the number of plants significantly. Within ten years, Korea was able to produce cotton and was able to distribute it to the citizens. He died on July 26, 1398.

Family Father - Mun Suksŏn () Mother - Lady Cho of the Haman Cho clan () Wives and their issue Lady Chu () - No issue. Lady Chŏng of the Jinju Chŏng clan (); daughter of Chŏng Ch'ŏnik () Son - Mun Chungyong () Son - Mun Chungsŏng () Son - Mun Chungsil () Daughter - Lady Mun of the Nampyeong Mun clan () Son - Mun Chungjin () Daughter - Lady Mun of the Nampyeong Mun clan () Son - Mun Chunggye () Daughter - Grand Princess Mun of the Nampyeong Mun clan (); third wife of Grand Prince Wanpung Son-in-law - Yi Wŏn'gye, Grand Prince Wanpung (; 1330–1388); King Taejo's older half-brother

Works Samudang silgi ()

Mun Ikchŏm

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