牛僧孺
Assuming that Niu Sengru died in the "Wuchen" year of the "Dazhong" era (847-859) of Emperor Xuānzong as asserted in the commemorative text written by Li Jue, Niu was born in Lingtai County, Pingliang in 780, during the reign of Emperor Dezong. He was a descendant of the prominent Sui Dynasty official Niu Hong (). His grandfather Niu Shao () served as a consultant at the ministry of worship, while his father Niu Youwen () served as a county magistrate. His father died when he was young, and he tended a farm at Xiadu (下杜, near the capital Chang'an) that his family had previously been bestowed to make a living. He was capable in writing, and eventually passed the imperial examinations in 805, in the same year as eventual colleague and ally Li Zongmin.