Dou Wei (Tang dynasty)

Dou Wei (竇威, died 824), courtesy name Gongyi (公異), was a high-ranking official of the Tang dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Muzong.

Dou Wei was a descendant of the prominent Dou clan, which had produced several chancellors during the earlier Tang dynasty. His family traced its lineage back to Dou Rong, a Han dynasty official. Dou Wei passed the imperial examinations and entered government service.

He steadily rose through the ranks, holding various official positions before being appointed to the important post of Minister of Personnel (吏部侍郎, Lìbù Shìláng). Known for his administrative abilities and attention to detail, Dou Wei gained the trust of Emperor Muzong.

In 822, Dou Wei was granted the designation Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事), making him a chancellor de facto. He served alongside other prominent chancellors of the time, advising the emperor on matters of state.

Dou Wei's tenure as chancellor was relatively brief. He died in 824, while still in office. Historical accounts generally portray him as a capable and conscientious official, although not one who left a particularly significant mark on the historical record. He is remembered as a representative of the enduring influence of aristocratic families within the Tang dynasty's political system.