史(shi)(shi)大(da)成(cheng)(cheng)出身(shen)(shen)于農耕之(zhi)(zhi)家(jia),他(ta)的(de)(de)(de)(de)父(fu)親(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)名史(shi)(shi)紹南,粗(cu)通文墨。史(shi)(shi)大(da)成(cheng)(cheng)自幼聰穎好學(xue),不(bu)(bu)分寒暑(shu),刻苦讀書(shu)(shu)。他(ta)天(tian)性(xing)至孝(xiao)。一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)次母(mu)親(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)染(ran)病(bing),服藥(yao)無效,他(ta)于焦慮之(zhi)(zhi)中(zhong)(zhong),竟(jing)學(xue)古人(ren)割股肉(rou)和藥(yao)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)母(mu)療疾,在(zai)(zai)當(dang)地被傳(chuan)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)佳話(hua)。官(guan)(guan)府為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)此(ci)(ci)專門上報(bao)朝(chao)(chao)(chao)(chao)廷(ting),以(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)“孝(xiao)子(zi)”名分得(de)授(shou)錢糧。十(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)六歲(sui)時,史(shi)(shi)大(da)成(cheng)(cheng)考取秀才。明朝(chao)(chao)(chao)(chao)崇禎(zhen)十(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)三(san)年(nian),考取舉人(ren)。后(hou)見(jian)(jian)明朝(chao)(chao)(chao)(chao)風雨飄搖(yao),知其(qi)國祚不(bu)(bu)長(chang),遂(sui)斷絕入仕之(zhi)(zhi)念(nian),未(wei)繼續(xu)參加(jia)會試(shi)。史(shi)(shi)大(da)成(cheng)(cheng)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)了(le)幫助(zhu)父(fu)親(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)維持全家(jia)生計,便(bian)(bian)(bian)在(zai)(zai)鄉學(xue)以(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)授(shou)課(ke)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)業。清朝(chao)(chao)(chao)(chao)定鼎中(zhong)(zhong)原后(hou),朝(chao)(chao)(chao)(chao)廷(ting)頻(pin)(pin)頻(pin)(pin)來(lai)召,他(ta)屢屢拒之(zhi)(zhi)。后(hou)見(jian)(jian)政(zheng)局穩定,大(da)批(pi)漢人(ren)紛紛入仕,遂(sui)在(zai)(zai)父(fu)母(mu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)督促下(xia),決(jue)定參加(jia)鄉試(shi),史(shi)(shi)大(da)成(cheng)(cheng)與嚴我斯、蔡啟僔(zun)同(tong)舉順治(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)甲(jia)午科浙江鄉試(shi),三(san)狀元(yuan)(yuan)鄉試(shi)同(tong)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)榜,傳(chuan)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)佳話(hua)。順治(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)十(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)二年(nian),史(shi)(shi)大(da)成(cheng)(cheng)赴京(jing)會試(shi),在(zai)(zai)會試(shi)中(zhong)(zhong),成(cheng)(cheng)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)漢人(ren)南人(ren)榜第(di)十(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)八名貢(gong)士。史(shi)(shi)大(da)成(cheng)(cheng)參加(jia)廷(ting)試(shi),讀卷大(da)臣并未(wei)將(jiang)(jiang)他(ta)作(zuo)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)首卷,只將(jiang)(jiang)他(ta)的(de)(de)(de)(de)卷子(zi)列為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)第(di)三(san)。順治(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)帝(di)閱罷(ba)他(ta)的(de)(de)(de)(de)卷子(zi),說(shuo)此(ci)(ci)卷“文氣(qi)光昌,字法(fa)敬慎,必端人(ren)也。”殿試(shi)中(zhong)(zhong),史(shi)(shi)大(da)成(cheng)(cheng)如有神助(zhu),竟(jing)被順治(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)帝(di)特拔,奪得(de)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)甲(jia)第(di)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)名,以(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)狀元(yuan)(yuan)及第(di),被授(shou)翰(han)林院(yuan)修撰,時年(nian)40歲(sui)。順治(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)十(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)五年(nian),史(shi)(shi)大(da)成(cheng)(cheng)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)戊戌(xu)科會試(shi)同(tong)考官(guan)(guan),隨充(chong)日講官(guan)(guan)。在(zai)(zai)京(jing)城(cheng)任職四(si)年(nian),因(yin)父(fu)有病(bing)告(gao)假,回(hui)(hui)歸鄉里。史(shi)(shi)大(da)成(cheng)(cheng)乃史(shi)(shi)家(jia)長(chang)子(zi),且為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)惟一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)在(zai)(zai)京(jing)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)官(guan)(guan)之(zhi)(zhi)人(ren)。此(ci)(ci)時,他(ta)的(de)(de)(de)(de)父(fu)親(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)年(nian)老體弱多(duo)病(bing)。由于史(shi)(shi)大(da)成(cheng)(cheng)狀元(yuan)(yuan)及第(di)后(hou),數(shu)年(nian)未(wei)歸,疾病(bing)纏身(shen)(shen)的(de)(de)(de)(de)父(fu)親(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)自然對(dui)他(ta)十(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)分思(si)(si)念(nian)。他(ta)知道,當(dang)時朝(chao)(chao)(chao)(chao)廷(ting)有規定,在(zai)(zai)京(jing)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)官(guan)(guan)者,只有在(zai)(zai)六年(nian)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)期的(de)(de)(de)(de)“京(jing)察”后(hou),方(fang)可回(hui)(hui)鄉省親(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin),而兒子(zi)在(zai)(zai)京(jing)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)官(guan)(guan)時間僅三(san)四(si)年(nian),離省親(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)尚遠。為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)解思(si)(si)念(nian)之(zhi)(zhi)苦,他(ta)便(bian)(bian)(bian)請(qing)(qing)(qing)當(dang)地的(de)(de)(de)(de)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)位畫(hua)家(jia)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)自己繪了(le)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)幅畫(hua)像寄給(gei)兒子(zi),并讓兒子(zi)也畫(hua)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)幅自己的(de)(de)(de)(de)畫(hua)像寄回(hui)(hui)家(jia)中(zhong)(zhong)。史(shi)(shi)大(da)成(cheng)(cheng)接到(dao)了(le)父(fu)親(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)的(de)(de)(de)(de)來(lai)信和畫(hua)像后(hou),不(bu)(bu)由大(da)慟。他(ta)意識到(dao),本來(lai)就多(duo)病(bing)的(de)(de)(de)(de)父(fu)親(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)以(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)此(ci)(ci)來(lai)解思(si)(si)子(zi)之(zhi)(zhi)苦。他(ta)神慌意亂,晨夕(xi)難安(an)。經(jing)過激烈的(de)(de)(de)(de)思(si)(si)想(xiang)斗爭(zheng),決(jue)定給(gei)順治(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)帝(di)上疏。他(ta)在(zai)(zai)疏書(shu)(shu)中(zhong)(zhong)說(shuo):“臣父(fu)思(si)(si)子(zi)不(bu)(bu)見(jian)(jian),思(si)(si)見(jian)(jian)子(zi)之(zhi)(zhi)儀容;呼子(zi)不(bu)(bu)來(lai),頻(pin)(pin)呼子(zi)之(zhi)(zhi)名字。臣若忍此(ci)(ci),不(bu)(bu)可以(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)人(ren)子(zi),亦何以(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)人(ren)臣!”順治(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)帝(di)覽此(ci)(ci)疏,竟(jing)淚眼盈眶,心生惻隱之(zhi)(zhi)情,特地批(pi)準他(ta)請(qing)(qing)(qing)假回(hui)(hui)家(jia),奉(feng)養父(fu)母(mu)以(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)終天(tian)年(nian)。并且下(xia)詔將(jiang)(jiang)六年(nian)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)“京(jing)察”改為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)三(san)年(nian)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)“京(jing)察”。史(shi)(shi)大(da)成(cheng)(cheng)對(dui)順治(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)帝(di)的(de)(de)(de)(de)格外開恩感激涕零(ling),表謝(xie)再三(san)。將(jiang)(jiang)手(shou)頭事務向翰(han)林院(yuan)大(da)學(xue)士交卸之(zhi)(zhi)后(hou),便(bian)(bian)(bian)匆匆上路。不(bu)(bu)想(xiang)途(tu)中(zhong)(zhong),便(bian)(bian)(bian)遇到(dao)專程赴京(jing)向他(ta)報(bao)喪的(de)(de)(de)(de)人(ren)。原來(lai),他(ta)的(de)(de)(de)(de)父(fu)親(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)已十(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)天(tian)前辭世。他(ta)突聞噩耗,竟(jing)昏倒(dao)在(zai)(zai)地,經(jing)搶救后(hou)方(fang)才蘇醒,醒后(hou)便(bian)(bian)(bian)哀號(hao)不(bu)(bu)止(zhi),以(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)致(zhi)病(bing)倒(dao)。回(hui)(hui)到(dao)家(jia)中(zhong)(zhong),又(you)(you)忙于操辦喪事,悲哀加(jia)忙碌,終于臥床不(bu)(bu)起。身(shen)(shen)體稍微有些起色,便(bian)(bian)(bian)向順治(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)帝(di)上疏,匯報(bao)其(qi)事,并請(qing)(qing)(qing)求在(zai)(zai)家(jia)守(shou)制三(san)年(nian)。服闋期滿,又(you)(you)見(jian)(jian)母(mu)親(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)身(shen)(shen)體不(bu)(bu)佳,再次上書(shu)(shu)朝(chao)(chao)(chao)(chao)廷(ting),請(qing)(qing)(qing)求在(zai)(zai)家(jia)奉(feng)養老母(mu),并且一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)居便(bian)(bian)(bian)是十(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)年(nian)。據說(shuo)他(ta)在(zai)(zai)家(jia)住了(le)三(san)年(nian)后(hou),當(dang)地官(guan)(guan)吏見(jian)(jian)他(ta)母(mu)親(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)身(shen)(shen)體尚健,便(bian)(bian)(bian)向朝(chao)(chao)(chao)(chao)廷(ting)劾舉他(ta)欺騙朝(chao)(chao)(chao)(chao)廷(ting)。為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)此(ci)(ci),朝(chao)(chao)(chao)(chao)廷(ting)曾(ceng)多(duo)次召其(qi)返(fan)京(jing)復職,但是,他(ta)卻不(bu)(bu)予理會,常(chang)對(dui)人(ren)說(shuo):“豈能以(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)官(guan)(guan)之(zhi)(zhi)職而易一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)日之(zhi)(zhi)養乎!”而后(hou),又(you)(you)因(yin)他(ta)的(de)(de)(de)(de)母(mu)親(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)去世,丁(ding)憂(you)在(zai)(zai)家(jia)。朝(chao)(chao)(chao)(chao)廷(ting)見(jian)(jian)史(shi)(shi)大(da)成(cheng)(cheng)屢召不(bu)(bu)還,遂(sui)將(jiang)(jiang)其(qi)削職。
康(kang)(kang)(kang)(kang)熙(xi)(xi)帝即(ji)位,史(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)守喪期滿(man),因康(kang)(kang)(kang)(kang)熙(xi)(xi)親(qin)政(zheng)大(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)赦天(tian)下(xia)而得免于(yu)(yu)(yu)追究。康(kang)(kang)(kang)(kang)熙(xi)(xi)五(wu)(wu)(wu)年(nian)(nian)(nian),史(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)充任順(shun)(shun)天(tian)武闈鄉(xiang)試(shi)主(zhu)考(kao)(kao)(kao)(kao)官(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)。康(kang)(kang)(kang)(kang)熙(xi)(xi)八(ba)年(nian)(nian)(nian),史(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)任順(shun)(shun)天(tian)鄉(xiang)試(shi)主(zhu)考(kao)(kao)(kao)(kao),康(kang)(kang)(kang)(kang)熙(xi)(xi)十一年(nian)(nian)(nian)(1672),由侍(shi)讀學士(shi)升為(wei)內(nei)閣學士(shi)、經筵(yan)日講(jiang)起居注官(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)。康(kang)(kang)(kang)(kang)熙(xi)(xi)十二年(nian)(nian)(nian),史(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)升為(wei)禮部左(zuo)侍(shi)郎兼翰林院(yuan)學士(shi)。康(kang)(kang)(kang)(kang)熙(xi)(xi)十三年(nian)(nian)(nian),轉為(wei)禮部右(you)侍(shi)郎至仕。康(kang)(kang)(kang)(kang)熙(xi)(xi)十五(wu)(wu)(wu)年(nian)(nian)(nian),任殿(dian)試(shi)讀卷(juan)官(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)等(deng)。史(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)屢掌(zhang)文衡,始(shi)終盡心(xin)盡力,廉(lian)潔(jie)公正,恪盡職(zhi)守,按才選(xuan)擇(ze),唯才是(shi)舉(ju)。史(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)曾(ceng)多次典司(si)科考(kao)(kao)(kao)(kao),被認為(wei)是(shi)稱(cheng)職(zhi)的考(kao)(kao)(kao)(kao)官(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)。在康(kang)(kang)(kang)(kang)熙(xi)(xi)年(nian)(nian)(nian)間,史(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)奉詔返(fan)京,充任講(jiang)官(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan),累官(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)至禮部左(zuo)侍(shi)郎,數次主(zhu)持順(shun)(shun)天(tian)鄉(xiang)試(shi)及會(hui)試(shi),且政(zheng)聲卓著(zhu),空前(qian)絕后。康(kang)(kang)(kang)(kang)熙(xi)(xi)十五(wu)(wu)(wu)年(nian)(nian)(nian),史(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)退休辭(ci)(ci)官(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)。史(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)曾(ceng)充任日講(jiang)官(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)、經筵(yan)講(jiang)官(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)等(deng),為(wei)皇帝及滿(man)族貴族官(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)員講(jiang)解漢族傳統文化。使(shi)漢、滿(man)民族增(zeng)進(jin)了解。當朝(chao)議各執己(ji)見時(shi),他善(shan)于(yu)(yu)(yu)綜合、折衷,以達到融和(he)。據說(shuo)(shuo)(shuo)在他任主(zhu)考(kao)(kao)(kao)(kao)官(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)時(shi),有(you)(you)人(ren)上書康(kang)(kang)(kang)(kang)熙(xi)(xi)皇帝,建議免除朝(chao)廷(ting)對孝(xiao)子(zi)(zi)節(jie)(jie)婦的糧(liang)米(mi)供給,他們(men)說(shuo)(shuo)(shuo):“孝(xiao)順(shun)(shun)父母(mu),為(wei)丈夫(fu)守節(jie)(jie),是(shi)他們(men)份(fen)內(nei)之(zhi)事(shi),與朝(chao)廷(ting)何(he)干(gan)?”史(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)對這種議論予以堅決駁斥,他說(shuo)(shuo)(shuo):“為(wei)子(zi)(zi)不(bu)孝(xiao),為(wei)婦不(bu)貞,又與朝(chao)廷(ting)何(he)干(gan)?但為(wei)何(he)卻要對他們(men)繩(sheng)之(zhi)以法(fa)?”康(kang)(kang)(kang)(kang)熙(xi)(xi)對他的意見十分(fen)贊賞(shang),令對孝(xiao)子(zi)(zi)節(jie)(jie)婦之(zhi)糧(liang)米(mi)供應不(bu)得減免。他淡泊名利。曾(ceng)為(wei)服侍(shi)父母(mu)削籍革(ge)職(zhi),他泰然處之(zhi),棄(qi)官(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)職(zhi)如棄(qi)敝履。但為(wei)民辦(ban)事(shi)卻記在心(xin)中。即(ji)使(shi)棄(qi)官(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)在鄉(xiang),也廣(guang)行善(shan)事(shi)。他捐資,首創義修(xiu)家(jia)鄉(xiang)水利。他的母(mu)親(qin)去世后,曾(ceng)返(fan)京復(fu)職(zhi),不(bu)久以疾(ji)辭(ci)(ci)官(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)。康(kang)(kang)(kang)(kang)熙(xi)(xi)二十一年(nian)(nian)(nian)卒于(yu)(yu)(yu)鄉(xiang)里。史(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)擅長于(yu)(yu)(yu)詩文,尤善(shan)制舉(ju)業文,士(shi)子(zi)(zi)多敬重和(he)效法(fa)。著(zhu)有(you)(you)《八(ba)行堂(tang)詩文》。