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Linghu Defen () (583–666(乾封元年，卒于家，年八十四) Jiu Tang Shu, vol.73), formally Duke Xian of Pengyang (彭陽憲公), was a Chinese historian and politician. He was an official of the Chinese Sui dynasty and Tang dynasty. During the Tang era, he was a major proponent for the compilation of the histories of the Sui and its predecessor the Northern Zhou. He was eventually put in charge of compiling Northern Zhou's official history, Book of Zhou, which was completed in 636.
At that time, after the great disturbance at the end of Sui, much of old book collections had been lost. Linghu advocated, and Emperor Gaozu agreed, to seek out books and purchase them and, once they were bought, to have them copied as well. After several years, the imperial collections were more comprehensive. Linghu also pointed out that while the Southern dynasties' histories were largely written, little have been formally compiled of Northern Zhou and Sui dynasty's histories—and that the deeds of the great people of those two dynasties, including those of Emperor Gaozu's ancestors, would be lost. Emperor Gaozu therefore issued an edict commissioning Xiao Yu, Wang Jingye (王敬業), and Yin Wenli (殷聞禮) to compile the history of Northern Wei; Chen, Linghu, and Yu Jian (庾儉) to compile the history of Northern Zhou; Feng Deyi and Yan Shigu to compile the history of Sui; Cui Shanwei (崔善為), Kong Shao'an (孔紹安), and Xiao Deyan (蕭德言) to compile the history of the Liang dynasty; Pei Ju, Zu Xiaosun (祖孝孫), and Wei Zheng to compile the history of Southern Qi; and Dou Jin (竇璡), Ouyang Xun, and Yao Silian to compile the history of the Chen dynasty. However, after the issuance of Emperor Gaozu's edict, not much actual historical compilation was carried out, and the projects stalled.
In 632, Linghu was made the deputy minister of rites (禮部侍郎), but continued to serve as an imperial historian. He was also created the Baron of Pengyang.
In 636, the Book of Zhou was completed, and Linghu was awarded silk.
In 637, another work by Linghu, the New Rites (新禮), was completed, and his title was promoted to Viscount of Pengyang. Also that year, another project that Linghu participated in, the Records of Clans (氏族志), was completed as well, and he was awarded silk again.
In 641, Linghu was made a member of the staff of Emperor Taizong's son Li Chengqian the Crown Prince. In 643, after Li Chengqian was deposed, Linghu was relieved of his duties.
In 644, Linghu was recalled to civil service and made the prefect of Ya Prefecture (雅州, roughly modern Ya'an, Sichuan), but was later removed from office due to his acts there. Soon, however, when Fang was put in charge of compiling the history of the Jin dynasty (266–420) ( Book of Jin), Linghu was made the lead editor on the project, which involved 118 editors, and the other editors largely followed Linghu's lead. After the work was completed in 648, Linghu was made Mishu Jian (秘書監), the head of the archival bureau.
In 643, Linghu was made Guozi Jijiu (國子祭酒), the principal of the Guozijian. As Linghu had compiled the records of Emperor Taizong's reign after 639, he was awarded silk and made an imperial scholar at Chongxian Pavilion (崇賢館). He was later put in charge of compiling the records of Emperor Gaozong's reign as well, and his title was promoted to Duke of Pengyang. In 662, he requested retirement and was allowed to retire with the honorific title of Jinzi Guanglu Daifu (金紫光祿大夫). He died in 666. It was said that in his late years he was particularly diligent in writing, and whenever there were major compilation projects, he would participate.
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