Heojun(許浚 : 1539~1615)
Heo Jun is Joseon's grand physician who set the foundations for traditional Korean medicine with his systematic compilation of its subjectsin his greatest work, Dongui Bogam (동의보감/東醫寶鑑). Heo Jun's (1539~1615) courtesy name (字) is Cheong-won (청원/淸源) and his pen name (雅號) is Guam (구암/龜岩). He is the 20th generation descendant of Heo Seon-mun (허선문/許宣文), the progenitor of the Yangcheon Heo clan who also became the commune leader of Gongam during the reign of King Taejo in the Goryeo dynasty. Though born an illegitimate, he chose to walk the path of medicine and was soon called in to the royal court for medical service in his early 30's. By the time was 36, his talents were widely recognized for him to step up to the responsibility of examining and diagnosing the King's conditions. When the Imjin Waeran War (임진왜란/壬辰倭亂) broke out, he escorted and looked after King Seonjo until the very end of the King's refuge in Uiju with his responsibilities as a royal physician. At that time, many of the courtiers abandoned their King and took flight to retain their lives, with only a minute few remainingby King Seonjo to escort him to the very end of his refuge. Heo Jun devoted himself in practicing medicine, and left behind him many accomplishments and writings. In particular is his greatest achievement, Dongui Bogam (동의보감/東醫寶鑑), which he published during his time in exile. Completed in 1610 when he was aged 71, it has left a significant legacy in world medicine.