贺知章
唐
He Zhizhang was a Tang dynasty poet and calligrapher, courtesy name Jizhen, from Yongxing in Yuezhou. He passed the imperial examination and held official posts, later retiring to his hometown. In old age he called himself "Siming Kuangke," the Mad Guest of Siming. He was known for his free and open temperament and for his friendship with Li Bai, whom he famously praised as an "exiled immortal." Although relatively few of his poems survive, his language is fresh and natural. His best-known works include "On the Willow" and "Homecoming."