Wang Can

Wang Can
王粲
Palace Attendant (侍中)
In office
213 (213)  217 (217)
MonarchEmperor Xian of Han
ChancellorCao Cao
Personal details
Born177
Weishan County, Shandong
Died17 February 217 (aged 40)
Children
  • Wang Ye (posthumous adopted son)
  • two biological sons
Parent
  • Wang Qian (father)
OccupationPolitician, poet
Courtesy nameZhongxuan (仲宣)
PeerageSecondary Marquis
(關內侯)
Wang Can
Chinese王粲
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinWáng Càn
Wade–GilesWang2 Ts'an4
IPA[wǎŋ tsʰân]
Yue: Cantonese
Yale RomanizationWòhng Chaan
JyutpingWong4 Caan3
Southern Min
Tâi-lôÔng Tshàn

Wang Can (177 – 17 February 217), courtesy name Zhongxuan, was a Chinese politician and poet who lived during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China. He contributed greatly to the establishment of laws and standards during the founding days of the vassal kingdom of Wei the forerunner of the state of Cao Wei in the Three Kingdoms period under the warlord Cao Cao, who was the de facto head of the Han central government in the final years of the Eastern Han dynasty. For his literary achievements, Wang Can was ranked among the Seven Scholars of Jian'an.

Wang Can was also renowned for his eidetic memory. The historical text Records of the Three Kingdoms described an incident where Wang Can was watching a game of weiqi. Someone accidentally knocked into the board and scattered the pieces. Wang Can then placed the pieces back to their original positions based on memory.