Studies on the Civilization of Islam

by H.A.R. Gibb

Ranging from studies on Sufism and the Koran to discussion of nineteenth and twentieth-century Arabic literature, these essays on the law and literature of Islamic society illustrate the unique vision of one of the world's great Orientalists.

Originally published in 1982.

The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.

Genres: Islam

370 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1962

About the author

Sir Hamilton Alexander Rosskeen Gibb, also commonly referred to as "H. A. R. Gibb", was a Scottish Orientalist .

Born in Alexandria, Egypt, Gibb went to Scotland (the home of his ancestors) for education at the age of five after the death of his father. He attended the Royal High School, Edinburgh. Studies at the University of Edinburgh were interrupted by World War I, during which he served in France and Italy in the Royal Field Artillery. For his service, he was awarded a 'war privilege' MA. After the war he studied Arabic at the School of Oriental Studies of London University and obtained an MA in 1922. His thesis, later published by the Royal Asiatic Society as a monograph, was written on the Arab conquests of Central Asia. He married Helen Jessie Stark (Ella) the same year, and together they had one son and one daughter.