Shen Kuo (1031-1095), a native of Qiantang County, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, was a politician and scientist in the Northern Song Dynasty.

Shen Kuo was born into an official family and traveled around with his father in his childhood. In the eighth year of Jiayou (1063), he was a scholar, and was named Yangzhou secretariat to join the army. When Zongshen participated in the Xining Reform, he was highly valued by Wang Anshi. He served as Prince Zhongyun, torture room, supervisor of the Ministry of Heaven, proofreading the history museum, and the third ambassador. In the third year of Yuanfeng (1080), Shen Kuo went to Yanzhou, served as an envoy, and was stationed in the border to fight against Xixia. Later, he was demoted for participating in the battle of Yongle City. In his later years, he moved to Runzhou and lived in seclusion in Meng Xi Park. Born two years less (1095), died of illness at the age of 65.

Shen Kuo devoted himself to scientific research all his life, and made profound attainments and outstanding achievements in many disciplines. He is known as "the most outstanding figure in the whole history of science in China". His masterpiece On Meng Xi is rich in content and plays an important role in the history of world culture.