Huo Guang

Huo Guang (Chinese: 霍光; died 21 April 68 BC), courtesy name Zimeng (子孟), posthumous name Xuancheng (宣成), was a Chinese politician and imperial regent who served as the dominant state official of the Western Han dynasty from 87 BC until his death in April 68 BC. The younger half-brother of the renowned general Huo Qubing, Huo was a palace aide to Emperor Wu and secured power in his own right at the emperor's death, when he became principal co-regent for Emperor Zhao. Huo outmaneuvered his colleagues in the regency and assumed personal control over state affairs, consolidating his power by installing family members and other loyalists in key offices. Following Emperor Zhao's death in June 74 BC, Huo engineered the succession and deposition of Liu He within a mere 27 days. Huo next facilitated the accession of Emperor Xuan and retained control of the Western Han government until his death.