Gu Xiancheng (1550- 16 12), surnamed Jingyang, was honored as "Mr. Lin Dong" because he founded Donglin Academy. Ming Dynasty thinker and leader of Lindong Party. People from Wuxi, Jiangsu,
1580 (the eighth year of Wanli), he became an official in Beijing and was in charge of the household department.
1587 (the fifteenth year of Wanli), due to poor defense, some words angered those in power, were scolded by the imperial edict, and were demoted to judge in Guiyang, and then gradually promoted to judge in Chuzhou.
1593 (twenty-one years of Wanli), Gu Xiancheng was appointed as a doctor in the department of literary selection of the official department, in charge of the promotion of official classes.
1594 (twenty-two years of Wanli), the court, together with Gu Xiancheng, recommended the appointment of a cabinet college student. All the nominees were disgusted with Ming Shenzong, which further angered Zongshen. He was deprived of his official position, dismissed and went home.
After Gu Xiancheng returned to his hometown, he initiated the maintenance of Donglin Academy with his younger brother Gu Yuncheng, gave lectures with Gao Panlong, and publicized his political opinions. 1604 (thirty-two years of Wanli) In October of the lunar calendar, Gu Xiancheng, together with Gu Yuncheng, An Xifan, Liu, Qian Yiben, Xue Fujiao and Ye Maocai, initiated a meeting and formulated the Lindong Convention.
After giving lectures at Donglin College, Gu Xiancheng and others often satirized the state affairs and gradually gathered into a political group "Lindong Party".