[Study of dates of birth and death of WANG Tao]

The dates of birth and death of WANG Tao, a famous doctor in Tang dynasty, are not found in literature and scholars have different points upon this subject. It could be sure that WANG Tao was appointed mayor of Huayuan county in the ninth year of Kaiyuan period (721) and in December of the fourteenth year of Tianbao period (756) he the revolt in Hejian. The recording after 756 could not be found in literature. According to the official system in Tang dynasty that officers retired at their age of 70, it could be sure that WANG Tao was less than 70 year old in 756. Considering his age when he was the county mayor in 721, it could be speculated that WANG Tao was born during the third year of Chuigong period (687) to the second year of Changshou period (693), and his death date should be some date after 756. But it couldn't be validated.