Ni Qian was born in Qiantang (today’s Hangzhou, Zhejiang province) and was also known by his courtesy name Kerang. He passed the Imperial Exam in the fourth year of the Zhengtong period under the reign of Emperor Yingzong (1439) and became a Second-class Hanlin Compiler. He was promoted as President of Ministry of Rites in Nanjing in the Chenghua period. After he died, he was given a posthumous position of Junior Guardian of the heir-apparent (taizisshaobao) and the title of Wenxi, meaning literature and happiness. The books he wrote include The Yutang Collection and The Shanggu Collection.