史(shi)(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)出身(shen)于(yu)(yu)農耕之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)家(jia)(jia)(jia),他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)的(de)(de)(de)父(fu)(fu)(fu)親(qin)(qin)(qin)名(ming)(ming)(ming)史(shi)(shi)(shi)紹南,粗通文墨(mo)。史(shi)(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)自幼聰穎(ying)好學(xue),不(bu)(bu)分寒(han)暑(shu),刻苦(ku)讀書。他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)天性至孝。一(yi)次(ci)母(mu)(mu)(mu)(mu)親(qin)(qin)(qin)染(ran)病(bing),服藥無效,他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)于(yu)(yu)焦慮之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)中(zhong),竟(jing)學(xue)古人(ren)(ren)割(ge)股肉和藥為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)母(mu)(mu)(mu)(mu)療疾(ji),在(zai)(zai)(zai)當(dang)地(di)(di)(di)被(bei)傳(chuan)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)佳話。官(guan)府為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)此(ci)(ci)(ci)專門(men)上(shang)報(bao)朝(chao)(chao)(chao)廷(ting)(ting),以(yi)“孝子(zi)(zi)(zi)”名(ming)(ming)(ming)分得授錢糧(liang)。十(shi)六(liu)(liu)歲時,史(shi)(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)考(kao)取(qu)秀(xiu)才(cai)。明朝(chao)(chao)(chao)崇禎十(shi)三(san)(san)年(nian)(nian),考(kao)取(qu)舉人(ren)(ren)。后(hou)(hou)(hou)(hou)見明朝(chao)(chao)(chao)風雨(yu)飄搖(yao),知其(qi)(qi)國祚(zuo)不(bu)(bu)長,遂(sui)斷絕入(ru)(ru)仕之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)念(nian),未繼(ji)續參加(jia)會試(shi)。史(shi)(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)了(le)(le)幫助(zhu)父(fu)(fu)(fu)親(qin)(qin)(qin)維(wei)持(chi)全家(jia)(jia)(jia)生計,便(bian)(bian)在(zai)(zai)(zai)鄉(xiang)學(xue)以(yi)授課(ke)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)業。清朝(chao)(chao)(chao)定(ding)(ding)鼎中(zhong)原(yuan)后(hou)(hou)(hou)(hou),朝(chao)(chao)(chao)廷(ting)(ting)頻(pin)頻(pin)來(lai)(lai)召(zhao),他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)屢屢拒之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)。后(hou)(hou)(hou)(hou)見政(zheng)局(ju)穩定(ding)(ding),大(da)(da)(da)(da)批漢(han)(han)人(ren)(ren)紛紛入(ru)(ru)仕,遂(sui)在(zai)(zai)(zai)父(fu)(fu)(fu)母(mu)(mu)(mu)(mu)的(de)(de)(de)督(du)促下,決(jue)定(ding)(ding)參加(jia)鄉(xiang)試(shi),史(shi)(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)與嚴我斯、蔡啟僔同(tong)舉順(shun)(shun)(shun)治(zhi)甲(jia)午科浙江鄉(xiang)試(shi),三(san)(san)狀元(yuan)鄉(xiang)試(shi)同(tong)一(yi)榜,傳(chuan)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)佳話。順(shun)(shun)(shun)治(zhi)十(shi)二(er)年(nian)(nian),史(shi)(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)赴京(jing)(jing)(jing)(jing)會試(shi),在(zai)(zai)(zai)會試(shi)中(zhong),成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)漢(han)(han)人(ren)(ren)南人(ren)(ren)榜第(di)(di)(di)十(shi)八名(ming)(ming)(ming)貢士。史(shi)(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)參加(jia)廷(ting)(ting)試(shi),讀卷(juan)(juan)大(da)(da)(da)(da)臣并(bing)(bing)未將(jiang)他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)作為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)首卷(juan)(juan),只將(jiang)他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)的(de)(de)(de)卷(juan)(juan)子(zi)(zi)(zi)列(lie)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)第(di)(di)(di)三(san)(san)。順(shun)(shun)(shun)治(zhi)帝(di)閱罷他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)的(de)(de)(de)卷(juan)(juan)子(zi)(zi)(zi),說(shuo)此(ci)(ci)(ci)卷(juan)(juan)“文氣光(guang)昌(chang),字法(fa)敬慎,必端人(ren)(ren)也。”殿試(shi)中(zhong),史(shi)(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)如(ru)有(you)神(shen)助(zhu),竟(jing)被(bei)順(shun)(shun)(shun)治(zhi)帝(di)特拔,奪得一(yi)甲(jia)第(di)(di)(di)一(yi)名(ming)(ming)(ming),以(yi)狀元(yuan)及(ji)第(di)(di)(di),被(bei)授翰林(lin)院修撰,時年(nian)(nian)40歲。順(shun)(shun)(shun)治(zhi)十(shi)五年(nian)(nian),史(shi)(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)戊(wu)戌科會試(shi)同(tong)考(kao)官(guan),隨充日講官(guan)。在(zai)(zai)(zai)京(jing)(jing)(jing)(jing)城任職(zhi)(zhi)四(si)年(nian)(nian),因父(fu)(fu)(fu)有(you)病(bing)告(gao)假,回歸鄉(xiang)里。史(shi)(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)乃史(shi)(shi)(shi)家(jia)(jia)(jia)長子(zi)(zi)(zi),且為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)惟(wei)一(yi)在(zai)(zai)(zai)京(jing)(jing)(jing)(jing)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)官(guan)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)人(ren)(ren)。此(ci)(ci)(ci)時,他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)的(de)(de)(de)父(fu)(fu)(fu)親(qin)(qin)(qin)年(nian)(nian)老體(ti)弱多(duo)(duo)病(bing)。由于(yu)(yu)史(shi)(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)狀元(yuan)及(ji)第(di)(di)(di)后(hou)(hou)(hou)(hou),數年(nian)(nian)未歸,疾(ji)病(bing)纏身(shen)的(de)(de)(de)父(fu)(fu)(fu)親(qin)(qin)(qin)自然對他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)十(shi)分思念(nian)。他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)知道,當(dang)時朝(chao)(chao)(chao)廷(ting)(ting)有(you)規定(ding)(ding),在(zai)(zai)(zai)京(jing)(jing)(jing)(jing)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)官(guan)者,只有(you)在(zai)(zai)(zai)六(liu)(liu)年(nian)(nian)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)期的(de)(de)(de)“京(jing)(jing)(jing)(jing)察(cha)”后(hou)(hou)(hou)(hou),方可回鄉(xiang)省(sheng)親(qin)(qin)(qin),而兒子(zi)(zi)(zi)在(zai)(zai)(zai)京(jing)(jing)(jing)(jing)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)官(guan)時間僅三(san)(san)四(si)年(nian)(nian),離省(sheng)親(qin)(qin)(qin)尚(shang)遠。為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)解思念(nian)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)苦(ku),他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)便(bian)(bian)請(qing)(qing)當(dang)地(di)(di)(di)的(de)(de)(de)一(yi)位畫家(jia)(jia)(jia)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)自己(ji)繪(hui)了(le)(le)一(yi)幅(fu)畫像(xiang)寄(ji)(ji)給兒子(zi)(zi)(zi),并(bing)(bing)讓兒子(zi)(zi)(zi)也畫一(yi)幅(fu)自己(ji)的(de)(de)(de)畫像(xiang)寄(ji)(ji)回家(jia)(jia)(jia)中(zhong)。史(shi)(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)接到了(le)(le)父(fu)(fu)(fu)親(qin)(qin)(qin)的(de)(de)(de)來(lai)(lai)信(xin)和畫像(xiang)后(hou)(hou)(hou)(hou),不(bu)(bu)由大(da)(da)(da)(da)慟(tong)。他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)意識(shi)到,本來(lai)(lai)就(jiu)多(duo)(duo)病(bing)的(de)(de)(de)父(fu)(fu)(fu)親(qin)(qin)(qin)以(yi)此(ci)(ci)(ci)來(lai)(lai)解思子(zi)(zi)(zi)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)苦(ku)。他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)神(shen)慌意亂,晨夕難安。經(jing)(jing)過激烈的(de)(de)(de)思想(xiang)斗爭(zheng),決(jue)定(ding)(ding)給順(shun)(shun)(shun)治(zhi)帝(di)上(shang)疏(shu)(shu)。他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)在(zai)(zai)(zai)疏(shu)(shu)書中(zhong)說(shuo):“臣父(fu)(fu)(fu)思子(zi)(zi)(zi)不(bu)(bu)見,思見子(zi)(zi)(zi)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)儀容;呼子(zi)(zi)(zi)不(bu)(bu)來(lai)(lai),頻(pin)呼子(zi)(zi)(zi)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)名(ming)(ming)(ming)字。臣若忍此(ci)(ci)(ci),不(bu)(bu)可以(yi)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)人(ren)(ren)子(zi)(zi)(zi),亦何以(yi)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)人(ren)(ren)臣!”順(shun)(shun)(shun)治(zhi)帝(di)覽此(ci)(ci)(ci)疏(shu)(shu),竟(jing)淚眼盈眶,心生惻隱之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)情,特地(di)(di)(di)批準他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)請(qing)(qing)假回家(jia)(jia)(jia),奉(feng)養父(fu)(fu)(fu)母(mu)(mu)(mu)(mu)以(yi)終(zhong)(zhong)天年(nian)(nian)。并(bing)(bing)且下詔將(jiang)六(liu)(liu)年(nian)(nian)一(yi)“京(jing)(jing)(jing)(jing)察(cha)”改(gai)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)三(san)(san)年(nian)(nian)一(yi)“京(jing)(jing)(jing)(jing)察(cha)”。史(shi)(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)對順(shun)(shun)(shun)治(zhi)帝(di)的(de)(de)(de)格外(wai)開(kai)恩感激涕零(ling),表謝再三(san)(san)。將(jiang)手頭事務向翰林(lin)院大(da)(da)(da)(da)學(xue)士交卸(xie)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)后(hou)(hou)(hou)(hou),便(bian)(bian)匆(cong)匆(cong)上(shang)路(lu)。不(bu)(bu)想(xiang)途中(zhong),便(bian)(bian)遇到專程赴京(jing)(jing)(jing)(jing)向他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)報(bao)喪的(de)(de)(de)人(ren)(ren)。原(yuan)來(lai)(lai),他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)的(de)(de)(de)父(fu)(fu)(fu)親(qin)(qin)(qin)已(yi)十(shi)天前辭世(shi)。他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)突聞噩耗,竟(jing)昏倒在(zai)(zai)(zai)地(di)(di)(di),經(jing)(jing)搶救后(hou)(hou)(hou)(hou)方才(cai)蘇(su)醒,醒后(hou)(hou)(hou)(hou)便(bian)(bian)哀號不(bu)(bu)止,以(yi)致(zhi)病(bing)倒。回到家(jia)(jia)(jia)中(zhong),又(you)忙于(yu)(yu)操辦喪事,悲哀加(jia)忙碌,終(zhong)(zhong)于(yu)(yu)臥床不(bu)(bu)起(qi)。身(shen)體(ti)稍微有(you)些起(qi)色,便(bian)(bian)向順(shun)(shun)(shun)治(zhi)帝(di)上(shang)疏(shu)(shu),匯報(bao)其(qi)(qi)事,并(bing)(bing)請(qing)(qing)求(qiu)在(zai)(zai)(zai)家(jia)(jia)(jia)守制三(san)(san)年(nian)(nian)。服闋期滿,又(you)見母(mu)(mu)(mu)(mu)親(qin)(qin)(qin)身(shen)體(ti)不(bu)(bu)佳,再次(ci)上(shang)書朝(chao)(chao)(chao)廷(ting)(ting),請(qing)(qing)求(qiu)在(zai)(zai)(zai)家(jia)(jia)(jia)奉(feng)養老母(mu)(mu)(mu)(mu),并(bing)(bing)且一(yi)居便(bian)(bian)是十(shi)年(nian)(nian)。據說(shuo)他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)在(zai)(zai)(zai)家(jia)(jia)(jia)住了(le)(le)三(san)(san)年(nian)(nian)后(hou)(hou)(hou)(hou),當(dang)地(di)(di)(di)官(guan)吏見他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)母(mu)(mu)(mu)(mu)親(qin)(qin)(qin)身(shen)體(ti)尚(shang)健,便(bian)(bian)向朝(chao)(chao)(chao)廷(ting)(ting)劾(he)舉他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)欺騙朝(chao)(chao)(chao)廷(ting)(ting)。為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)此(ci)(ci)(ci),朝(chao)(chao)(chao)廷(ting)(ting)曾多(duo)(duo)次(ci)召(zhao)其(qi)(qi)返京(jing)(jing)(jing)(jing)復職(zhi)(zhi),但是,他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)卻不(bu)(bu)予理會,常對人(ren)(ren)說(shuo):“豈能(neng)以(yi)一(yi)官(guan)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)職(zhi)(zhi)而易一(yi)日之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)養乎(hu)!”而后(hou)(hou)(hou)(hou),又(you)因他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)的(de)(de)(de)母(mu)(mu)(mu)(mu)親(qin)(qin)(qin)去世(shi),丁憂在(zai)(zai)(zai)家(jia)(jia)(jia)。朝(chao)(chao)(chao)廷(ting)(ting)見史(shi)(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)屢召(zhao)不(bu)(bu)還,遂(sui)將(jiang)其(qi)(qi)削職(zhi)(zhi)。
康熙(xi)(xi)(xi)帝即位,史(shi)大(da)成(cheng)(cheng)守喪(sang)期滿(man),因康熙(xi)(xi)(xi)親(qin)政(zheng)大(da)赦天下而得免于(yu)(yu)追究。康熙(xi)(xi)(xi)五(wu)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian),史(shi)大(da)成(cheng)(cheng)充任(ren)順(shun)天武闈鄉試主(zhu)考(kao)官(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)。康熙(xi)(xi)(xi)八年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian),史(shi)大(da)成(cheng)(cheng)任(ren)順(shun)天鄉試主(zhu)考(kao),康熙(xi)(xi)(xi)十(shi)一(yi)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(1672),由(you)侍讀學士(shi)升(sheng)(sheng)為(wei)(wei)內(nei)閣學士(shi)、經筵日講(jiang)起居注(zhu)官(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)。康熙(xi)(xi)(xi)十(shi)二年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian),史(shi)大(da)成(cheng)(cheng)升(sheng)(sheng)為(wei)(wei)禮部左侍郎兼翰(han)林院學士(shi)。康熙(xi)(xi)(xi)十(shi)三年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian),轉為(wei)(wei)禮部右侍郎至(zhi)仕。康熙(xi)(xi)(xi)十(shi)五(wu)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian),任(ren)殿試讀卷(juan)官(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)等(deng)(deng)。史(shi)大(da)成(cheng)(cheng)屢掌文(wen)衡,始終盡(jin)心(xin)盡(jin)力(li),廉(lian)潔(jie)公正,恪盡(jin)職(zhi)守,按才選擇(ze),唯才是舉。史(shi)大(da)成(cheng)(cheng)曾(ceng)(ceng)多次典司科考(kao),被認為(wei)(wei)是稱(cheng)職(zhi)的考(kao)官(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)。在康熙(xi)(xi)(xi)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)間(jian),史(shi)大(da)成(cheng)(cheng)奉詔(zhao)返(fan)京,充任(ren)講(jiang)官(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan),累官(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)至(zhi)禮部左侍郎,數次主(zhu)持順(shun)天鄉試及會(hui)試,且政(zheng)聲(sheng)卓著,空前絕后。康熙(xi)(xi)(xi)十(shi)五(wu)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian),史(shi)大(da)成(cheng)(cheng)退休辭官(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)。史(shi)大(da)成(cheng)(cheng)曾(ceng)(ceng)充任(ren)日講(jiang)官(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)、經筵講(jiang)官(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)等(deng)(deng),為(wei)(wei)皇(huang)帝及滿(man)族(zu)貴族(zu)官(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)員講(jiang)解漢族(zu)傳(chuan)統文(wen)化。使(shi)漢、滿(man)民族(zu)增進了解。當朝(chao)(chao)議各執己(ji)見(jian)時,他(ta)(ta)(ta)善(shan)(shan)于(yu)(yu)綜合(he)、折衷,以(yi)(yi)達到(dao)融和。據(ju)說在他(ta)(ta)(ta)任(ren)主(zhu)考(kao)官(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)時,有人上書康熙(xi)(xi)(xi)皇(huang)帝,建議免除(chu)朝(chao)(chao)廷(ting)對(dui)孝(xiao)子(zi)(zi)節(jie)婦(fu)的糧米供(gong)給,他(ta)(ta)(ta)們(men)說:“孝(xiao)順(shun)父(fu)母,為(wei)(wei)丈夫守節(jie),是他(ta)(ta)(ta)們(men)份內(nei)之(zhi)事(shi),與朝(chao)(chao)廷(ting)何干?”史(shi)大(da)成(cheng)(cheng)對(dui)這種議論予以(yi)(yi)堅(jian)決駁斥,他(ta)(ta)(ta)說:“為(wei)(wei)子(zi)(zi)不(bu)孝(xiao),為(wei)(wei)婦(fu)不(bu)貞,又(you)與朝(chao)(chao)廷(ting)何干?但為(wei)(wei)何卻要(yao)對(dui)他(ta)(ta)(ta)們(men)繩之(zhi)以(yi)(yi)法?”康熙(xi)(xi)(xi)對(dui)他(ta)(ta)(ta)的意(yi)見(jian)十(shi)分贊賞,令對(dui)孝(xiao)子(zi)(zi)節(jie)婦(fu)之(zhi)糧米供(gong)應不(bu)得減(jian)免。他(ta)(ta)(ta)淡(dan)泊名利。曾(ceng)(ceng)為(wei)(wei)服侍父(fu)母削籍革職(zhi),他(ta)(ta)(ta)泰(tai)然處之(zhi),棄(qi)官(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)職(zhi)如棄(qi)敝(bi)履。但為(wei)(wei)民辦事(shi)卻記(ji)在心(xin)中(zhong)。即使(shi)棄(qi)官(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)在鄉,也廣(guang)行善(shan)(shan)事(shi)。他(ta)(ta)(ta)捐資,首創義修家鄉水(shui)利。他(ta)(ta)(ta)的母親(qin)去世后,曾(ceng)(ceng)返(fan)京復職(zhi),不(bu)久(jiu)以(yi)(yi)疾辭官(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)。康熙(xi)(xi)(xi)二十(shi)一(yi)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)卒于(yu)(yu)鄉里(li)。史(shi)大(da)成(cheng)(cheng)擅長(chang)于(yu)(yu)詩(shi)(shi)文(wen),尤善(shan)(shan)制舉業文(wen),士(shi)子(zi)(zi)多敬重和效法。著有《八行堂(tang)詩(shi)(shi)文(wen)》。