Who is Yen Yuan from The Analects and what is their importance?

Yen Yuan is the most talented of Confucius' disciples. His premature death saddens Confucius in his last years. Confucius claims Yuan's virtuous conduct is exemplary and considers him to not lapse from benevolence in his heart for three months. He is a poor man that allows himself to live in dire poverty, for which Confucius calls him admirable. Yen Yuan is the only disciple the Master considers an equal. Yuan, like Confucius, is also eager to learn and the most intelligent of Confucius' disciples despite his short life. He listens passively and does not disagree but understands more than is said. Through the critical eyes of Confucius, Yen Yuan comes close to attaining perfection.