史(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)出身于(yu)(yu)農(nong)耕之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)家(jia),他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)的(de)(de)父(fu)(fu)親(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)名史(shi)(shi)紹南,粗(cu)通(tong)文(wen)墨。史(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)自(zi)幼聰穎好學,不(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)分寒暑,刻苦讀(du)書(shu)。他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)天性(xing)至孝(xiao)(xiao)。一(yi)(yi)(yi)次(ci)母(mu)(mu)(mu)親(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)染病(bing),服(fu)藥(yao)無效,他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)于(yu)(yu)焦慮之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)中(zhong)(zhong),竟(jing)學古人(ren)(ren)割股肉(rou)和(he)藥(yao)為(wei)(wei)母(mu)(mu)(mu)療疾(ji),在(zai)(zai)(zai)當(dang)地(di)被傳為(wei)(wei)佳(jia)話。官(guan)(guan)府為(wei)(wei)此(ci)(ci)(ci)專(zhuan)門(men)上報朝(chao)(chao)廷(ting),以(yi)(yi)(yi)“孝(xiao)(xiao)子(zi)(zi)(zi)”名分得授錢糧(liang)。十(shi)六(liu)歲時(shi),史(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)考(kao)取秀才。明朝(chao)(chao)崇(chong)禎十(shi)三(san)(san)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian),考(kao)取舉(ju)(ju)人(ren)(ren)。后(hou)(hou)見(jian)明朝(chao)(chao)風雨飄(piao)搖,知其國祚不(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)長(chang),遂(sui)(sui)斷絕入(ru)仕(shi)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)念,未(wei)繼續參加會(hui)試(shi)。史(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)為(wei)(wei)了(le)(le)幫助父(fu)(fu)親(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)維持全(quan)家(jia)生計(ji),便(bian)在(zai)(zai)(zai)鄉(xiang)學以(yi)(yi)(yi)授課為(wei)(wei)業。清朝(chao)(chao)定(ding)(ding)鼎中(zhong)(zhong)原后(hou)(hou),朝(chao)(chao)廷(ting)頻(pin)頻(pin)來召,他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)屢屢拒之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)。后(hou)(hou)見(jian)政局(ju)穩定(ding)(ding),大(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)批漢(han)人(ren)(ren)紛紛入(ru)仕(shi),遂(sui)(sui)在(zai)(zai)(zai)父(fu)(fu)母(mu)(mu)(mu)的(de)(de)督促下,決定(ding)(ding)參加鄉(xiang)試(shi),史(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)與嚴(yan)我斯、蔡啟僔同(tong)舉(ju)(ju)順(shun)(shun)(shun)治(zhi)甲(jia)午科(ke)浙江(jiang)鄉(xiang)試(shi),三(san)(san)狀(zhuang)(zhuang)元鄉(xiang)試(shi)同(tong)一(yi)(yi)(yi)榜,傳為(wei)(wei)佳(jia)話。順(shun)(shun)(shun)治(zhi)十(shi)二年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian),史(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)赴京(jing)會(hui)試(shi),在(zai)(zai)(zai)會(hui)試(shi)中(zhong)(zhong),成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)為(wei)(wei)漢(han)人(ren)(ren)南人(ren)(ren)榜第(di)十(shi)八名貢(gong)士。史(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)參加廷(ting)試(shi),讀(du)卷(juan)大(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)臣(chen)(chen)并(bing)未(wei)將(jiang)他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)作為(wei)(wei)首卷(juan),只將(jiang)他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)的(de)(de)卷(juan)子(zi)(zi)(zi)列為(wei)(wei)第(di)三(san)(san)。順(shun)(shun)(shun)治(zhi)帝(di)(di)(di)閱罷他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)的(de)(de)卷(juan)子(zi)(zi)(zi),說此(ci)(ci)(ci)卷(juan)“文(wen)氣(qi)光昌(chang),字法敬慎(shen),必端(duan)人(ren)(ren)也。”殿(dian)試(shi)中(zhong)(zhong),史(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)如有(you)(you)神助,竟(jing)被順(shun)(shun)(shun)治(zhi)帝(di)(di)(di)特拔,奪得一(yi)(yi)(yi)甲(jia)第(di)一(yi)(yi)(yi)名,以(yi)(yi)(yi)狀(zhuang)(zhuang)元及第(di),被授翰林院(yuan)修(xiu)撰(zhuan),時(shi)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)40歲。順(shun)(shun)(shun)治(zhi)十(shi)五年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian),史(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)為(wei)(wei)戊戌科(ke)會(hui)試(shi)同(tong)考(kao)官(guan)(guan),隨(sui)充(chong)日講(jiang)官(guan)(guan)。在(zai)(zai)(zai)京(jing)城任職(zhi)(zhi)四年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian),因父(fu)(fu)有(you)(you)病(bing)告(gao)假(jia),回歸(gui)鄉(xiang)里。史(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)乃史(shi)(shi)家(jia)長(chang)子(zi)(zi)(zi),且為(wei)(wei)惟(wei)一(yi)(yi)(yi)在(zai)(zai)(zai)京(jing)為(wei)(wei)官(guan)(guan)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)人(ren)(ren)。此(ci)(ci)(ci)時(shi),他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)的(de)(de)父(fu)(fu)親(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)老體(ti)弱多(duo)病(bing)。由于(yu)(yu)史(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)狀(zhuang)(zhuang)元及第(di)后(hou)(hou),數(shu)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)未(wei)歸(gui),疾(ji)病(bing)纏身的(de)(de)父(fu)(fu)親(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)自(zi)然對(dui)他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)十(shi)分思(si)(si)念。他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)知道(dao),當(dang)時(shi)朝(chao)(chao)廷(ting)有(you)(you)規(gui)定(ding)(ding),在(zai)(zai)(zai)京(jing)為(wei)(wei)官(guan)(guan)者,只有(you)(you)在(zai)(zai)(zai)六(liu)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)為(wei)(wei)期的(de)(de)“京(jing)察(cha)”后(hou)(hou),方(fang)可回鄉(xiang)省親(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin),而兒子(zi)(zi)(zi)在(zai)(zai)(zai)京(jing)為(wei)(wei)官(guan)(guan)時(shi)間(jian)僅三(san)(san)四年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian),離省親(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)尚(shang)遠。為(wei)(wei)解思(si)(si)念之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)苦,他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)便(bian)請(qing)當(dang)地(di)的(de)(de)一(yi)(yi)(yi)位畫(hua)(hua)家(jia)為(wei)(wei)自(zi)己繪了(le)(le)一(yi)(yi)(yi)幅畫(hua)(hua)像寄(ji)給(gei)兒子(zi)(zi)(zi),并(bing)讓兒子(zi)(zi)(zi)也畫(hua)(hua)一(yi)(yi)(yi)幅自(zi)己的(de)(de)畫(hua)(hua)像寄(ji)回家(jia)中(zhong)(zhong)。史(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)接到(dao)了(le)(le)父(fu)(fu)親(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)的(de)(de)來信和(he)畫(hua)(hua)像后(hou)(hou),不(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)由大(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)慟。他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)意識到(dao),本來就(jiu)多(duo)病(bing)的(de)(de)父(fu)(fu)親(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)以(yi)(yi)(yi)此(ci)(ci)(ci)來解思(si)(si)子(zi)(zi)(zi)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)苦。他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)神慌(huang)意亂(luan),晨夕(xi)難安。經過(guo)激(ji)烈的(de)(de)思(si)(si)想斗(dou)爭(zheng),決定(ding)(ding)給(gei)順(shun)(shun)(shun)治(zhi)帝(di)(di)(di)上疏(shu)(shu)。他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)在(zai)(zai)(zai)疏(shu)(shu)書(shu)中(zhong)(zhong)說:“臣(chen)(chen)父(fu)(fu)思(si)(si)子(zi)(zi)(zi)不(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)見(jian),思(si)(si)見(jian)子(zi)(zi)(zi)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)儀容;呼子(zi)(zi)(zi)不(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)來,頻(pin)呼子(zi)(zi)(zi)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)名字。臣(chen)(chen)若忍此(ci)(ci)(ci),不(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)可以(yi)(yi)(yi)為(wei)(wei)人(ren)(ren)子(zi)(zi)(zi),亦(yi)何以(yi)(yi)(yi)為(wei)(wei)人(ren)(ren)臣(chen)(chen)!”順(shun)(shun)(shun)治(zhi)帝(di)(di)(di)覽此(ci)(ci)(ci)疏(shu)(shu),竟(jing)淚眼盈眶,心生惻隱(yin)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)情,特地(di)批準(zhun)他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)請(qing)假(jia)回家(jia),奉養(yang)父(fu)(fu)母(mu)(mu)(mu)以(yi)(yi)(yi)終(zhong)天年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)。并(bing)且下詔(zhao)將(jiang)六(liu)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)一(yi)(yi)(yi)“京(jing)察(cha)”改為(wei)(wei)三(san)(san)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)一(yi)(yi)(yi)“京(jing)察(cha)”。史(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)對(dui)順(shun)(shun)(shun)治(zhi)帝(di)(di)(di)的(de)(de)格(ge)外開恩感激(ji)涕零(ling),表謝再三(san)(san)。將(jiang)手頭事務向翰林院(yuan)大(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)學士交卸之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)后(hou)(hou),便(bian)匆(cong)匆(cong)上路。不(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)想途(tu)中(zhong)(zhong),便(bian)遇到(dao)專(zhuan)程赴京(jing)向他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)報喪(sang)的(de)(de)人(ren)(ren)。原來,他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)的(de)(de)父(fu)(fu)親(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)已十(shi)天前辭世。他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)突聞噩耗,竟(jing)昏倒在(zai)(zai)(zai)地(di),經搶(qiang)救后(hou)(hou)方(fang)才蘇醒,醒后(hou)(hou)便(bian)哀號不(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)止,以(yi)(yi)(yi)致病(bing)倒。回到(dao)家(jia)中(zhong)(zhong),又忙(mang)于(yu)(yu)操(cao)辦喪(sang)事,悲哀加忙(mang)碌,終(zhong)于(yu)(yu)臥床(chuang)不(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)起。身體(ti)稍微有(you)(you)些起色,便(bian)向順(shun)(shun)(shun)治(zhi)帝(di)(di)(di)上疏(shu)(shu),匯(hui)報其事,并(bing)請(qing)求在(zai)(zai)(zai)家(jia)守制三(san)(san)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)。服(fu)闋期滿,又見(jian)母(mu)(mu)(mu)親(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)身體(ti)不(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)佳(jia),再次(ci)上書(shu)朝(chao)(chao)廷(ting),請(qing)求在(zai)(zai)(zai)家(jia)奉養(yang)老母(mu)(mu)(mu),并(bing)且一(yi)(yi)(yi)居便(bian)是(shi)十(shi)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)。據說他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)在(zai)(zai)(zai)家(jia)住了(le)(le)三(san)(san)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)后(hou)(hou),當(dang)地(di)官(guan)(guan)吏(li)見(jian)他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)母(mu)(mu)(mu)親(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)身體(ti)尚(shang)健,便(bian)向朝(chao)(chao)廷(ting)劾舉(ju)(ju)他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)欺騙(pian)朝(chao)(chao)廷(ting)。為(wei)(wei)此(ci)(ci)(ci),朝(chao)(chao)廷(ting)曾(ceng)多(duo)次(ci)召其返京(jing)復職(zhi)(zhi),但是(shi),他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)卻不(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)予(yu)理會(hui),常對(dui)人(ren)(ren)說:“豈(qi)能以(yi)(yi)(yi)一(yi)(yi)(yi)官(guan)(guan)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)職(zhi)(zhi)而易一(yi)(yi)(yi)日之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)養(yang)乎!”而后(hou)(hou),又因他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)的(de)(de)母(mu)(mu)(mu)親(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)去世,丁憂在(zai)(zai)(zai)家(jia)。朝(chao)(chao)廷(ting)見(jian)史(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)屢召不(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)還,遂(sui)(sui)將(jiang)其削職(zhi)(zhi)。
康(kang)(kang)(kang)熙(xi)(xi)(xi)帝即(ji)位,史(shi)大(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)守(shou)(shou)喪期(qi)滿(man),因康(kang)(kang)(kang)熙(xi)(xi)(xi)親政大(da)(da)赦天(tian)下而得免(mian)于追究。康(kang)(kang)(kang)熙(xi)(xi)(xi)五(wu)(wu)年,史(shi)大(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)充(chong)任順(shun)天(tian)武闈鄉(xiang)(xiang)試(shi)(shi)主考官。康(kang)(kang)(kang)熙(xi)(xi)(xi)八年,史(shi)大(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)任順(shun)天(tian)鄉(xiang)(xiang)試(shi)(shi)主考,康(kang)(kang)(kang)熙(xi)(xi)(xi)十(shi)(shi)一(yi)年(1672),由侍(shi)讀學士(shi)(shi)升為(wei)(wei)內(nei)閣學士(shi)(shi)、經筵日(ri)講(jiang)起居注官。康(kang)(kang)(kang)熙(xi)(xi)(xi)十(shi)(shi)二(er)年,史(shi)大(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)升為(wei)(wei)禮(li)(li)部(bu)左侍(shi)郎(lang)兼翰林院(yuan)學士(shi)(shi)。康(kang)(kang)(kang)熙(xi)(xi)(xi)十(shi)(shi)三年,轉為(wei)(wei)禮(li)(li)部(bu)右侍(shi)郎(lang)至(zhi)仕。康(kang)(kang)(kang)熙(xi)(xi)(xi)十(shi)(shi)五(wu)(wu)年,任殿試(shi)(shi)讀卷官等。史(shi)大(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)屢(lv)掌文(wen)衡,始(shi)終盡(jin)心(xin)盡(jin)力,廉潔公正,恪(ke)盡(jin)職(zhi)(zhi)守(shou)(shou),按才選擇(ze),唯才是舉(ju)(ju)。史(shi)大(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)曾多(duo)次(ci)典司科考,被(bei)認為(wei)(wei)是稱職(zhi)(zhi)的考官。在(zai)康(kang)(kang)(kang)熙(xi)(xi)(xi)年間,史(shi)大(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)奉詔返(fan)京,充(chong)任講(jiang)官,累(lei)官至(zhi)禮(li)(li)部(bu)左侍(shi)郎(lang),數次(ci)主持順(shun)天(tian)鄉(xiang)(xiang)試(shi)(shi)及會(hui)試(shi)(shi),且政聲卓著,空前絕(jue)后。康(kang)(kang)(kang)熙(xi)(xi)(xi)十(shi)(shi)五(wu)(wu)年,史(shi)大(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)退(tui)休辭(ci)官。史(shi)大(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)曾充(chong)任日(ri)講(jiang)官、經筵講(jiang)官等,為(wei)(wei)皇帝及滿(man)族貴族官員講(jiang)解漢族傳統文(wen)化。使(shi)漢、滿(man)民族增進了解。當朝(chao)(chao)議各執(zhi)己見時(shi),他(ta)善于綜(zong)合、折(zhe)衷,以達到融和。據說(shuo)(shuo)在(zai)他(ta)任主考官時(shi),有人上書康(kang)(kang)(kang)熙(xi)(xi)(xi)皇帝,建議免(mian)除(chu)朝(chao)(chao)廷對(dui)孝(xiao)子(zi)(zi)節婦的糧(liang)米供給(gei),他(ta)們說(shuo)(shuo):“孝(xiao)順(shun)父母,為(wei)(wei)丈(zhang)夫守(shou)(shou)節,是他(ta)們份內(nei)之事,與朝(chao)(chao)廷何(he)干(gan)?”史(shi)大(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)對(dui)這種議論予以堅決駁斥,他(ta)說(shuo)(shuo):“為(wei)(wei)子(zi)(zi)不孝(xiao),為(wei)(wei)婦不貞,又與朝(chao)(chao)廷何(he)干(gan)?但為(wei)(wei)何(he)卻(que)要對(dui)他(ta)們繩之以法?”康(kang)(kang)(kang)熙(xi)(xi)(xi)對(dui)他(ta)的意見十(shi)(shi)分贊(zan)賞,令對(dui)孝(xiao)子(zi)(zi)節婦之糧(liang)米供應不得減免(mian)。他(ta)淡泊名利(li)。曾為(wei)(wei)服侍(shi)父母削籍革職(zhi)(zhi),他(ta)泰然(ran)處之,棄(qi)官職(zhi)(zhi)如(ru)棄(qi)敝履。但為(wei)(wei)民辦事卻(que)記在(zai)心(xin)中。即(ji)使(shi)棄(qi)官在(zai)鄉(xiang)(xiang),也廣行(xing)善事。他(ta)捐資(zi),首創義(yi)修家鄉(xiang)(xiang)水利(li)。他(ta)的母親去世后,曾返(fan)京復職(zhi)(zhi),不久(jiu)以疾辭(ci)官。康(kang)(kang)(kang)熙(xi)(xi)(xi)二(er)十(shi)(shi)一(yi)年卒于鄉(xiang)(xiang)里(li)。史(shi)大(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)擅長(chang)于詩文(wen),尤(you)善制舉(ju)(ju)業(ye)文(wen),士(shi)(shi)子(zi)(zi)多(duo)敬重和效法。著有《八行(xing)堂(tang)詩文(wen)》。