Sima Guang was born in 1019 in present-day Yuncheng; Shanxi to a wealthy family; and obtained early success as a scholar and officer. When he was barely twenty; he passed the Imperial examination with the highest rank of jinshi ('metropolitan graduate); and spent the next several years in official positions.

In 1064; Sima presented to Emperor Yingzong of Song a book of five volumes; the Liniantu or 'Chart of Successive Years'. It chronologically summarized events in Chinese history from 403 BCE to 959 CE; and was something like a prospectus for sponsorship of his ambitious project in historiography. These dates were chosen because 403 BCE was the beginning of the Warring States period; when the ancient State of Jin was subdivided; which eventually led to the establishment of the Qin Dynasty; and because 959 CE was the end of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period and the beginning of the Song Dynasty.

In 1066; he presented a more detailed 8-volume Tongzhi or 'Comprehensive Records'; which chronicled Chinese history from 403 BCE to 207 BCE (the end of the Qin Dynasty). After Yingzong died in 1067; Sima was invited to the palace to introduce his work in progress to Emperor Shenzong of Song. The new emperor confirmed the interest his father had shown; maintaining his support for compiling this comprehensive history for decades until it was completed in 1084.