Born in Suzhou, Shen achieved popularity at an early age for his articles and poems.

The next year, he finally passed the imperial examination and was chosen to enter the Hanlin Academy.

He was immediately introduced into the inner circle of the Qianlong Emperor, who was seeking to establish his own poet laureate.

He retired from the position of Vice-Minister of Rites in 1749 and died twenty years later at the age of 96.

Shen Deqian formulated his poetic theory by stressing the four essential elements : purport (宗旨), form (體裁), tone (音節) and spiritual resonance (神韻).