王羲之
When he was young, his father, Wang Xizhi found his talent and started calligraphy training him calligraphy around the age of seven. According to one popular anecdote, Wang Xizhi once unsuccessfully tried to snatch Xianzhi's brush from behind while the latter was writing. Being amazed at Xianzhi's strong grip, Wang Xizhi remarked, "This child is sure to become famous!" Wang Xianzhi indeed continued to practiced diligently into adulthood until finally becoming as skilled as his father. Xianzhi died at age 42 while still in his prime. By comparison, his father lived to the age of 59, though it was only in Xizhi's latter years that he was able to produce the work he is most well-known for, "Lantingji Xu" or "Preface to the Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion." Along with his father, he was eventually crowned as one of the "Four Worthies of Calligraphy (書中四賢 shūzhōng sìxián)."