史(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)出(chu)身(shen)于(yu)農耕之(zhi)(zhi)家(jia)(jia)(jia)(jia)(jia),他(ta)(ta)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)父(fu)(fu)(fu)親(qin)(qin)(qin)名(ming)史(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)紹(shao)南,粗通文墨。史(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)自幼(you)聰穎(ying)好學,不(bu)(bu)分(fen)(fen)寒暑,刻苦(ku)(ku)(ku)讀(du)書。他(ta)(ta)天性至孝。一(yi)次母(mu)親(qin)(qin)(qin)染病(bing)(bing),服藥(yao)無(wu)效,他(ta)(ta)于(yu)焦(jiao)慮(lv)之(zhi)(zhi)中,竟(jing)學古人(ren)(ren)割股肉和藥(yao)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)母(mu)療疾,在(zai)(zai)(zai)當(dang)(dang)地被傳為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)佳話(hua)(hua)。官(guan)府為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)此(ci)(ci)專門上報朝(chao)(chao)(chao)廷,以(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)“孝子(zi)(zi)(zi)”名(ming)分(fen)(fen)得(de)授錢(qian)糧。十(shi)(shi)六(liu)(liu)歲時(shi)(shi),史(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)考(kao)取秀才。明朝(chao)(chao)(chao)崇(chong)禎十(shi)(shi)三(san)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian),考(kao)取舉人(ren)(ren)。后(hou)見(jian)(jian)(jian)明朝(chao)(chao)(chao)風雨飄搖(yao),知其國祚不(bu)(bu)長,遂斷絕入仕之(zhi)(zhi)念(nian)(nian),未(wei)繼續參加會(hui)試(shi)。史(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)了幫助父(fu)(fu)(fu)親(qin)(qin)(qin)維持全家(jia)(jia)(jia)(jia)(jia)生計,便(bian)在(zai)(zai)(zai)鄉(xiang)(xiang)學以(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)授課為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)業。清(qing)朝(chao)(chao)(chao)定(ding)(ding)鼎中原后(hou),朝(chao)(chao)(chao)廷頻(pin)頻(pin)來(lai)(lai)(lai)召,他(ta)(ta)屢屢拒之(zhi)(zhi)。后(hou)見(jian)(jian)(jian)政局穩定(ding)(ding),大(da)(da)(da)(da)批(pi)漢人(ren)(ren)紛紛入仕,遂在(zai)(zai)(zai)父(fu)(fu)(fu)母(mu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)督促下(xia)(xia),決(jue)定(ding)(ding)參加鄉(xiang)(xiang)試(shi),史(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)與嚴我(wo)斯(si)、蔡啟僔(zun)同舉順(shun)(shun)治(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)甲(jia)午科(ke)浙江鄉(xiang)(xiang)試(shi),三(san)狀元鄉(xiang)(xiang)試(shi)同一(yi)榜,傳為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)佳話(hua)(hua)。順(shun)(shun)治(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)十(shi)(shi)二年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian),史(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)赴京(jing)(jing)(jing)(jing)會(hui)試(shi),在(zai)(zai)(zai)會(hui)試(shi)中,成(cheng)(cheng)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)漢人(ren)(ren)南人(ren)(ren)榜第(di)(di)十(shi)(shi)八名(ming)貢士。史(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)參加廷試(shi),讀(du)卷(juan)(juan)大(da)(da)(da)(da)臣并(bing)未(wei)將(jiang)他(ta)(ta)作為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)首卷(juan)(juan),只將(jiang)他(ta)(ta)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)卷(juan)(juan)子(zi)(zi)(zi)列為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)第(di)(di)三(san)。順(shun)(shun)治(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)帝(di)閱(yue)罷(ba)他(ta)(ta)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)卷(juan)(juan)子(zi)(zi)(zi),說(shuo)此(ci)(ci)卷(juan)(juan)“文氣光昌(chang),字法敬慎,必端(duan)人(ren)(ren)也(ye)。”殿試(shi)中,史(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)如有(you)(you)神(shen)(shen)助,竟(jing)被順(shun)(shun)治(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)帝(di)特拔,奪得(de)一(yi)甲(jia)第(di)(di)一(yi)名(ming),以(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)狀元及(ji)(ji)第(di)(di),被授翰(han)林院(yuan)(yuan)修撰,時(shi)(shi)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)40歲。順(shun)(shun)治(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)十(shi)(shi)五年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian),史(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)戊戌科(ke)會(hui)試(shi)同考(kao)官(guan),隨充日講官(guan)。在(zai)(zai)(zai)京(jing)(jing)(jing)(jing)城任職(zhi)(zhi)四年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian),因(yin)父(fu)(fu)(fu)有(you)(you)病(bing)(bing)告假,回(hui)歸鄉(xiang)(xiang)里。史(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)乃史(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)家(jia)(jia)(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)人(ren)(ren)。此(ci)(ci)時(shi)(shi),他(ta)(ta)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)父(fu)(fu)(fu)親(qin)(qin)(qin)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)老體弱多(duo)病(bing)(bing)。由(you)于(yu)史(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)狀元及(ji)(ji)第(di)(di)后(hou),數年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)未(wei)歸,疾病(bing)(bing)纏身(shen)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)父(fu)(fu)(fu)親(qin)(qin)(qin)自然對(dui)他(ta)(ta)十(shi)(shi)分(fen)(fen)思(si)念(nian)(nian)。他(ta)(ta)知道,當(dang)(dang)時(shi)(shi)朝(chao)(chao)(chao)廷有(you)(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)(you)在(zai)(zai)(zai)六(liu)(liu)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)期的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)“京(jing)(jing)(jing)(jing)察(cha)(cha)”后(hou),方可回(hui)鄉(xiang)(xiang)省(sheng)親(qin)(qin)(qin),而兒(er)子(zi)(zi)(zi)在(zai)(zai)(zai)京(jing)(jing)(jing)(jing)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)官(guan)時(shi)(shi)間僅三(san)四年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian),離省(sheng)親(qin)(qin)(qin)尚遠。為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)解思(si)念(nian)(nian)之(zhi)(zhi)苦(ku)(ku)(ku),他(ta)(ta)便(bian)請(qing)(qing)當(dang)(dang)地的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)一(yi)位畫(hua)(hua)家(jia)(jia)(jia)(jia)(jia)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)自己(ji)(ji)繪了一(yi)幅(fu)畫(hua)(hua)像寄給兒(er)子(zi)(zi)(zi),并(bing)讓兒(er)子(zi)(zi)(zi)也(ye)畫(hua)(hua)一(yi)幅(fu)自己(ji)(ji)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)畫(hua)(hua)像寄回(hui)家(jia)(jia)(jia)(jia)(jia)中。史(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)接到(dao)了父(fu)(fu)(fu)親(qin)(qin)(qin)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)來(lai)(lai)(lai)信(xin)和畫(hua)(hua)像后(hou),不(bu)(bu)由(you)大(da)(da)(da)(da)慟。他(ta)(ta)意識(shi)到(dao),本來(lai)(lai)(lai)就多(duo)病(bing)(bing)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)父(fu)(fu)(fu)親(qin)(qin)(qin)以(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)此(ci)(ci)來(lai)(lai)(lai)解思(si)子(zi)(zi)(zi)之(zhi)(zhi)苦(ku)(ku)(ku)。他(ta)(ta)神(shen)(shen)慌意亂(luan),晨夕難安。經過(guo)激烈(lie)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)思(si)想(xiang)斗(dou)爭(zheng),決(jue)定(ding)(ding)給順(shun)(shun)治(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)帝(di)上疏(shu)。他(ta)(ta)在(zai)(zai)(zai)疏(shu)書中說(shuo):“臣父(fu)(fu)(fu)思(si)子(zi)(zi)(zi)不(bu)(bu)見(jian)(jian)(jian),思(si)見(jian)(jian)(jian)子(zi)(zi)(zi)之(zhi)(zhi)儀容;呼子(zi)(zi)(zi)不(bu)(bu)來(lai)(lai)(lai),頻(pin)呼子(zi)(zi)(zi)之(zhi)(zhi)名(ming)字。臣若忍此(ci)(ci),不(bu)(bu)可以(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)人(ren)(ren)子(zi)(zi)(zi),亦何(he)以(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)人(ren)(ren)臣!”順(shun)(shun)治(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)帝(di)覽此(ci)(ci)疏(shu),竟(jing)淚眼(yan)盈眶,心生惻(ce)隱之(zhi)(zhi)情,特地批(pi)準(zhun)他(ta)(ta)請(qing)(qing)假回(hui)家(jia)(jia)(jia)(jia)(jia),奉養(yang)(yang)父(fu)(fu)(fu)母(mu)以(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)終(zhong)天年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)。并(bing)且下(xia)(xia)詔將(jiang)六(liu)(liu)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)一(yi)“京(jing)(jing)(jing)(jing)察(cha)(cha)”改為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)三(san)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)一(yi)“京(jing)(jing)(jing)(jing)察(cha)(cha)”。史(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)對(dui)順(shun)(shun)治(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)帝(di)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)格(ge)外(wai)開恩感激涕(ti)零(ling),表謝(xie)再三(san)。將(jiang)手頭(tou)事(shi)務向翰(han)林院(yuan)(yuan)大(da)(da)(da)(da)學士交卸之(zhi)(zhi)后(hou),便(bian)匆(cong)匆(cong)上路。不(bu)(bu)想(xiang)途中,便(bian)遇到(dao)專程赴京(jing)(jing)(jing)(jing)向他(ta)(ta)報喪的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)人(ren)(ren)。原來(lai)(lai)(lai),他(ta)(ta)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)父(fu)(fu)(fu)親(qin)(qin)(qin)已十(shi)(shi)天前辭世(shi)。他(ta)(ta)突(tu)聞噩耗,竟(jing)昏倒在(zai)(zai)(zai)地,經搶救后(hou)方才蘇醒(xing),醒(xing)后(hou)便(bian)哀號不(bu)(bu)止(zhi),以(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)致病(bing)(bing)倒。回(hui)到(dao)家(jia)(jia)(jia)(jia)(jia)中,又(you)忙于(yu)操(cao)辦喪事(shi),悲哀加忙碌,終(zhong)于(yu)臥床不(bu)(bu)起。身(shen)體稍微有(you)(you)些起色,便(bian)向順(shun)(shun)治(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)帝(di)上疏(shu),匯報其事(shi),并(bing)請(qing)(qing)求在(zai)(zai)(zai)家(jia)(jia)(jia)(jia)(jia)守制(zhi)三(san)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)。服闋期滿,又(you)見(jian)(jian)(jian)母(mu)親(qin)(qin)(qin)身(shen)體不(bu)(bu)佳,再次上書朝(chao)(chao)(chao)廷,請(qing)(qing)求在(zai)(zai)(zai)家(jia)(jia)(jia)(jia)(jia)奉養(yang)(yang)老母(mu),并(bing)且一(yi)居便(bian)是(shi)十(shi)(shi)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)。據(ju)說(shuo)他(ta)(ta)在(zai)(zai)(zai)家(jia)(jia)(jia)(jia)(jia)住了三(san)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)后(hou),當(dang)(dang)地官(guan)吏見(jian)(jian)(jian)他(ta)(ta)母(mu)親(qin)(qin)(qin)身(shen)體尚健,便(bian)向朝(chao)(chao)(chao)廷劾(he)舉他(ta)(ta)欺(qi)騙朝(chao)(chao)(chao)廷。為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)此(ci)(ci),朝(chao)(chao)(chao)廷曾(ceng)多(duo)次召其返(fan)京(jing)(jing)(jing)(jing)復職(zhi)(zhi),但是(shi),他(ta)(ta)卻不(bu)(bu)予理會(hui),常對(dui)人(ren)(ren)說(shuo):“豈能(neng)以(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)一(yi)官(guan)之(zhi)(zhi)職(zhi)(zhi)而易一(yi)日之(zhi)(zhi)養(yang)(yang)乎(hu)!”而后(hou),又(you)因(yin)他(ta)(ta)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)母(mu)親(qin)(qin)(qin)去世(shi),丁憂在(zai)(zai)(zai)家(jia)(jia)(jia)(jia)(jia)。朝(chao)(chao)(chao)廷見(jian)(jian)(jian)史(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)(da)成(cheng)(cheng)屢召不(bu)(bu)還,遂將(jiang)其削職(zhi)(zhi)。
康(kang)(kang)熙(xi)(xi)(xi)(xi)帝(di)即位,史(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)大成(cheng)(cheng)守(shou)喪期滿(man)(man),因康(kang)(kang)熙(xi)(xi)(xi)(xi)親政(zheng)大赦天(tian)下(xia)而得(de)免(mian)于(yu)追究。康(kang)(kang)熙(xi)(xi)(xi)(xi)五(wu)年(nian)(nian)(nian),史(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)大成(cheng)(cheng)充任(ren)順(shun)天(tian)武闈鄉試(shi)主(zhu)考官。康(kang)(kang)熙(xi)(xi)(xi)(xi)八(ba)年(nian)(nian)(nian),史(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)大成(cheng)(cheng)任(ren)順(shun)天(tian)鄉試(shi)主(zhu)考,康(kang)(kang)熙(xi)(xi)(xi)(xi)十(shi)一年(nian)(nian)(nian)(1672),由侍(shi)讀學士(shi)升為(wei)(wei)內閣(ge)學士(shi)、經筵(yan)日講(jiang)起居(ju)注官。康(kang)(kang)熙(xi)(xi)(xi)(xi)十(shi)二(er)年(nian)(nian)(nian),史(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)大成(cheng)(cheng)升為(wei)(wei)禮部左侍(shi)郎(lang)兼翰林院學士(shi)。康(kang)(kang)熙(xi)(xi)(xi)(xi)十(shi)三年(nian)(nian)(nian),轉為(wei)(wei)禮部右侍(shi)郎(lang)至仕。康(kang)(kang)熙(xi)(xi)(xi)(xi)十(shi)五(wu)年(nian)(nian)(nian),任(ren)殿(dian)試(shi)讀卷(juan)官等。史(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)大成(cheng)(cheng)屢掌文(wen)(wen)衡,始終(zhong)盡心(xin)盡力(li),廉(lian)潔公(gong)正,恪盡職守(shou),按才(cai)選擇,唯才(cai)是(shi)舉。史(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)大成(cheng)(cheng)曾(ceng)多(duo)次典司科(ke)考,被認(ren)為(wei)(wei)是(shi)稱(cheng)職的考官。在(zai)(zai)康(kang)(kang)熙(xi)(xi)(xi)(xi)年(nian)(nian)(nian)間,史(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)大成(cheng)(cheng)奉(feng)詔返京,充任(ren)講(jiang)官,累官至禮部左侍(shi)郎(lang),數次主(zhu)持順(shun)天(tian)鄉試(shi)及(ji)會試(shi),且(qie)政(zheng)聲(sheng)卓著,空前絕后(hou)。康(kang)(kang)熙(xi)(xi)(xi)(xi)十(shi)五(wu)年(nian)(nian)(nian),史(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)大成(cheng)(cheng)退休辭官。史(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)大成(cheng)(cheng)曾(ceng)充任(ren)日講(jiang)官、經筵(yan)講(jiang)官等,為(wei)(wei)皇(huang)帝(di)及(ji)滿(man)(man)族貴族官員(yuan)講(jiang)解(jie)漢族傳統文(wen)(wen)化。使漢、滿(man)(man)民族增進了(le)解(jie)。當朝(chao)(chao)議(yi)各執(zhi)己見時,他(ta)善于(yu)綜合(he)、折(zhe)衷(zhong),以(yi)達到融和。據說(shuo)在(zai)(zai)他(ta)任(ren)主(zhu)考官時,有人上書康(kang)(kang)熙(xi)(xi)(xi)(xi)皇(huang)帝(di),建議(yi)免(mian)除(chu)朝(chao)(chao)廷對(dui)孝(xiao)子節(jie)婦的糧米供給,他(ta)們(men)說(shuo):“孝(xiao)順(shun)父母,為(wei)(wei)丈夫(fu)守(shou)節(jie),是(shi)他(ta)們(men)份內之事(shi),與朝(chao)(chao)廷何(he)干(gan)?”史(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)大成(cheng)(cheng)對(dui)這種議(yi)論予以(yi)堅(jian)決駁斥,他(ta)說(shuo):“為(wei)(wei)子不(bu)孝(xiao),為(wei)(wei)婦不(bu)貞(zhen),又與朝(chao)(chao)廷何(he)干(gan)?但(dan)為(wei)(wei)何(he)卻(que)(que)要(yao)對(dui)他(ta)們(men)繩之以(yi)法?”康(kang)(kang)熙(xi)(xi)(xi)(xi)對(dui)他(ta)的意(yi)見十(shi)分贊賞,令對(dui)孝(xiao)子節(jie)婦之糧米供應(ying)不(bu)得(de)減免(mian)。他(ta)淡泊名利(li)。曾(ceng)為(wei)(wei)服侍(shi)父母削(xue)籍革(ge)職,他(ta)泰(tai)然(ran)處之,棄官職如棄敝履(lv)。但(dan)為(wei)(wei)民辦事(shi)卻(que)(que)記在(zai)(zai)心(xin)中。即使棄官在(zai)(zai)鄉,也廣行善事(shi)。他(ta)捐資(zi),首創義修家(jia)鄉水(shui)利(li)。他(ta)的母親去世后(hou),曾(ceng)返京復職,不(bu)久以(yi)疾辭官。康(kang)(kang)熙(xi)(xi)(xi)(xi)二(er)十(shi)一年(nian)(nian)(nian)卒(zu)于(yu)鄉里。史(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)大成(cheng)(cheng)擅長于(yu)詩文(wen)(wen),尤(you)善制(zhi)舉業文(wen)(wen),士(shi)子多(duo)敬重和效法。著有《八(ba)行堂(tang)詩文(wen)(wen)》。