Shen Kuo or Shen Gua, courtesy name Cunzhong (存中) and pseudonym Mengqi Weng (夢溪翁), was a Chinese polymath, scientist, and statesman of the Northern Song dynasty. Shen was a master in many fields of study including mathematics, optics, and horology. In his career as a civil servant, he became a finance minister, governmental state inspector, head official for the Bureau of Astronomy in the Song court, Assistant Minister of Imperial Hospitality, and also served as an academic chancellor. At court his political allegiance was to the Reformist faction known as the New Policies Group, headed by Chancellor Wang Anshi (1021–1085). 1031 – 1095; died at about 64. Alive at the same time as William the Conqueror, Peter Abelard, Anselm of Canterbury, Solomon ibn Gabirol, and Omar Khayyám. Wiki link