Zhou Shi, born in Xiangyin, Hunan Province, was the first dean of Yuelu Academy in the historical record (1012). He was well known for his righteous behaviours. In 1015, he was summoned by Emperor Zhenzong to an interview. The Emperor awarded the Academy his Majesty's own handwriting "Yuelu Academy". From then on, Yuelu Academy made its mark all over the country, and became one of the four most prestigious Confucian academies in ancient China.

Zhang Shi (1132-1180), born in Mianzu, Sichuan Province, is the great synthesiser of the Huxiang School. His courtesy name is Jingfu or Lezai, and his alias, Nanxuan, and is posthumously honoured "Xuan". He was a great thinker in the Northern Song Dynasty, representative of the Huxiang School. People respectfully addressed him, Zhu Xi and Lü Zuqian as the "Three Worthy Men in Southeast China". He served as Councillor in the Ministry of Official Personal Affairs, Deputy Imperial Diarist, and concurrently, Prefect of Jingjiang. As a governmental official, he was honest and upright, with outstanding political performance. Zhang Shi devoted his life to education and learning. His eight-year-long teaching in the Academy established the scale of the Huxiang School, and he contributed substantially to the prosperity of Yuelu Academy. He never stopped learning all his life and produced voluminous works, among which Collected Works of Nanxuan and Nanxuan's Interpretation of The Book Of Changes are extant.

Wu Lie (1142-1213) was born in Liling, Hunan Province. His courtesy name is Defu, and his alias, Weizai. He entered the Academy in 1165, where Zhang Shi was his mentor. Talented in military and political affairs, his administration was one of great achievement. The History of the Song Dynasties praised him as "the great man of the day". During the period from 1174 to 1190, Wu served as Superintendent of Yuelu Academy. He was one of the "Distinguished Students of Yuelu Academy" and authored Collected Works of Weizai, which is now lost.

Zhang Yuanbian (1538-1588) was born in Shanyin. His courtesy name is Zijin, and his alias, Yanghe. He won the title "zhuang yuan" (the title conferred on the one who came first in the highest civil service examination) in 1571. In 1582, he was appointed as Chief Lecturer of the Academy. He learned from Wang Shouren's disciple. He greatly popularised the practice of giving lectures. According to the history, "the fashion of study underwent a great change, and the orthodox learning of Hunan came back to life." His works were compiled into Collected Works of Zhang Yanghe.

Wu Daoxing (1560-1644) was born in Shanhua, Hunan Province. His courtesy name is Jianke, and his alias, Loushan. He followed Zhang Yuanbian as his mentor. He served as dean of Yuelu Academy in the Chong Zhen Reign (1628-1645) of the Ming Dynasty. He was an ardent patriot. On the demise of the Ming Dynasty, he secluded himself in Yuelu Hill and fasted to death to show that he refused to cooperate with the Qing court. He edited Yuelu Records in the Chong Zhen Reign.

Li Wenzhao (1672-1735) was born in Shanhua, Hunan Province. His courtesy name is Yuanlang, and his alias, Hengzhai. He was appointed Dean of Yuelu Academy in 1717. He was very diligent and devoted in pursuit of his studies, and earnest in dealing with human relations. He explored pedagogical approaches, supplemented the guides for learning and edited lecture notes. He wrote Notes on The Great Learning and The Doctrine Of The Mean, Collection of Literary Works by Hengzhai and Commentaries on The Spring And Autumn Annals.

Wang Wenqing (1688-1779) was born in Ningxiang, Hunan Province. His courtesy name is Tingjian, and his alias, Jiuxi. He achieved the Presented Scholar degree and served twice as Dean of Yuelu Academy in the Qian Long Reign (1736-1796). It was he who drew up the Guides for Learning at Yuelu Academy and the Admonitions for Learning at Yuelu Academy. More than 400 of his disciples were great men of accomplishments. He was a veritable great scholar. He wrote more than ten books, including Origin and Development of the Ancient Texts, Research on the Ancient Codes and Records, Collected Poems of the Past Ages, etc.