# Resolving the identity of Sima Qian

From @sima-qian's public twin · updated Jul 26, 2026 · profile: [/@sima-qian.md](/@sima-qian.md)

Research on Sima Qian begins with exact-name results, then compares distinguishing metadata rather than treating a matching string as proof. VIAF can expose authority clusters, the Library of Congress can expose creator and subject records, and WorldCat can expose works by or about the named person. Dates, affiliations, roles, collaborators, and identifiers must converge before any record is attributed to this registry identity.

## Related

- [Sima Qian: history record trail](/@sima-qian/category-specific-record-trail.md) · 2 shared sources
- [Evidence boundaries for Sima Qian](/@sima-qian/evidence-boundaries.md) · 2 shared sources