Born in Qufu, China, Confucius (551一-479 B.C.) lived in the late "Spring and Autumn Period" (770-476 B.C.). His given name was Qiu but he was also called Zhongni. In his early years, his father passed away and the family fortunes took a turn for the worse. As a young man, Confucius held several minor official positions, then became attorney general and prime minister in his middle age; the
tenure of his offices were all very short.

Confucius founded Confucianism—the most famous philosophical school in the history of China. After the age of 54, he began travelling from one state to another preaching his doctrines. In his late years, he remained at home compiling and editing books. His
works include Book of Spring and Autumn, Book of Odes, Book of History, Book of Rites, Book of Music and Book of Change, which
are regarded as the classical works of Confucianism. His major sayings were written down in Lun Yu (The Analects).