Lee Eun-sang (李殷相, October 22, 1903 – September 18, 1982) was a renowned Korean sijo poet, historian, and honorary Doctor of Literature. His family lineage traces back to Jeonju, and his pen name was Nosan (鷺山). He was a direct descendant of Prince Deokcheon, the tenth son of King Jeongjong of the Joseon Dynasty.
Born in Masan, Gyeongsangnam-do, Lee studied in the liberal arts department of Gyeongseong Yeonhui Technical School and later majored in history at Waseda University in Japan. He subsequently earned his master’s and doctoral degrees in Korean language and literature at Kyung Hee University and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Literature from Yonsei University. Throughout his career, he taught at institutions such as Ewha Womans University, Seoul National University, and Yeungnam University. Lee also held significant roles, including president of the Korean National Cultural Association, president of the Korean Sijo Writers Association, and president of the Korean Alpine Club.
During the Japanese occupation of Korea, he was active as a member of the National Literature Movement and was imprisoned by Japanese authorities for his involvement in the “Joseon Language Society Incident.” Lee’s sijo poetry, characterized by admiration for the nation and its landscapes, traditional Eastern sentiments, and a Buddhist outlook on impermanence, played a crucial role in the revival of sijo literature. His work gained wide readership due to its spontaneous yet profound expression.
After Korea’s liberation, Lee left a rich legacy of writings in the fields of media, scholarship, and history. He penned numerous travelogues while traveling the country and became especially renowned for his research on Admiral Yi Sun-sin. His major works include *Nosan Sijo Collection*, *The Pulse of the Nation*, *The Rivers and Mountains of Korea*, and *The Biography of Admiral Yi Sun-sin*. His notable travelogue *The Blood-Stained Six Hundred Ri* is also well-known.
In 1963, Lee was credited with drafting the founding declaration of the Democratic Republican Party. He was appointed as an advisory member of the National Advisory Council in 1982, but he passed away that same year. Lee is also known for having written the lyrics for memorial songs dedicated to figures like Kim Gu and President Park Chung-hee.
