Who was the earliest calligrapher in China?

The earliest calligrapher in China was Li Si.

Li Si (about 280-208 BC), prime minister of Qin Dynasty, was a famous politician, writer and calligrapher in China history. Li Si is not only a famous politician, but also the first calligrapher recorded in the history of calligraphy in China. Li Si unified Chinese characters based on Xiao Zhuan, and he himself had a great influence on the development of Xiao Zhuan calligraphy. Later calligraphers respected him as "the ancestor of Xiao Zhuan calligraphy". Li Si's seal script is exquisite in structure and exquisite. His brushwork is vigorous and powerful, and the font structure is tight and loose. On the whole, the inscription font is smooth and rigorous, graceful and elegant. Li Si's calligraphy can be said to be the best of all ages. He is the earliest great calligrapher in China.

Li Si's Stone Carving on Mount Tai is the only original preserved in Qin Zhuan and the only work handed down by Li Si. The rest were copied by later generations. Although it is not as exquisite as the original, it can also show a thing or two. The seal script of Taishan stone carvings has also become a model for later generations. It is said that the stone carvings written by Li Si include Mount Tai, Langya, Yishan and Huiji.