Ban Gu was a Chinese historian and poet who lived during the Han Dynasty, around 32-100 AD. He is best known for his work, the Book of Han, which is a comprehensive history of the Western Han period. This text is significant for its detailed accounts of the political, social, and cultural aspects of the time. In addition to his historical writings, Ban Gu was part of a prominent literary family. His sister, Ban Zhao, was also a notable scholar and contributed to the Book of Han. Together, they played a crucial role in shaping early Chinese historiography and literature.