Historian Lê Văn Hưu’s tombstone at Thiệu Trung Commune, Thiệu Hóa District

Lê Văn Hưu was the first doctorate at the first examination session in Châu Ái. He was also the first historian of the Great Vietnamese (Đại Việt) and a famous cultural figure. He was born in Canh Dần year, the year of the Tiger (1230) and died on March 23 ^rd in Nhâm Tuất year, the year of the Dog (1322), lived to be 93. He died in his birthplace, which was formerly called Kẻ Rỵ, which was renamed Giáp Bối in the Lý – Trần dynasties and later Phủ Lý in the Nguyễn Dynasty. Now it is Thần Hậu Village, Thiệu Trung Commune, Thiệu Hóa District, Thanh Hóa Province.

In the spring of 1247, the Trần King organized an examination session to select the three best scholars for the first time in our country. Lê Văn Hưu was awarded the second prize ( bảng nhãn ) among the best three scholars. He was the first doctorate in the Thanh area and began the learning tradition in this area.

In the Annals of the Great Vietnamese ( Đại Việt sử ký ), Lê Văn Hưu dignified the national spirit and soundly accessed the roles and the services of some historical figures and national heroes who deserved credit for building, expanding the country and contributing to the protection of the nation’s independence. They are such national heroes as: Trưng Trắc, Trưng Nhị, Lý Bí, Ngô Quyền, Đinh Bộ Lĩnh, Lê Đại Hành, and Lý Công Uẩn . He greatly paid attention to both matters that were ethic and talent in the personality of the country rulers.

Reference::

- Ban nghiên cứu và biên soạn lịch sử Thanh Hóa: Lịch sử Thanh Hóa (The Thanh Hóa History Compilation and Research Department: The History of Thanh Hóa). Vietnam Social Sciences Publishing House, Volume 2, 2002.

- Ban nghiên cứu và biên soạn lịch sử Thanh Hóa: Danh nhân Thanh Hóa (The Thanh Hóa History Compilation and Research Department: Well-known People in Thanh Hóa). Thanh Hóa Publishing House, Volume 1, 2005.