鄭珉中先生，原籍福建閩侯，寄籍四川華陽，一九二三年生於寄居北京的書香世家，幼年求學之際即兼及古琴書畫。一九四六年到故宮博物院工作，歷任科員、組員、副組長、歷代藝術組、法書銘刻組、繪畫組、銅器組、美術史組、金石組、工藝組組長、助理研究員。一九八三年評為副研究員，一九八六年經文化部評定為研究館員，授予古代工藝美術史專業研究館員職稱證書，一九九四年退休後繼續返聘，一九九Ｏ年被聘為國家文物鑑定委員會委員，享受國家特殊津貼待遇。
ZHENG Min-zhong was born in 1923 in Beijing. His ancestral home was in Minhou, Fujian Province. His early education also included qin and Chinese painting. He was introduced to work in the Palace Museum in 1946. His job there covered the study on art history, epigraphs, painting, bronzeware, painting history, inscription and handcraft. In 1986, he was promoted to be a research scholar in ancient painting history. In 1990, he was appointed a member of National Relics Appraisal Committee.
In his childhood, he learned the qin under WANG Xing-dong and LI Yu-xing and learned painting under LIN Yan-bo and WANG Ai-shi. In 1940, he started to learned the qin under GUAN Ping-hu from the vvery begining. In six years, he concentrated on practicing thirteen qin pieces, including Tune for a Peaceful night, Wild Geese over the Calm Sands and Water Immortal. Afterwards, he taught qin in the house of PU Xue-zhai, a famous painter, and learnt painting. Joinly with other qin artists and celebrities in Beijing, he initiated the set up of the Beijing Qin Society and participated in the gatherings. In 1954, it changed the name and newly founded the Beijing Qin Reaserch Association. He took part in its performances and gatherings and was recommended to be vice chairman of the Assciation.