Arberry, A. J. (Arthur John), 1905-1969

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Arthur John Arberry (1905-1969), orientalist, was born at Buckland, Portsmouth, on 12 May 1905. He attended Portsmouth Grammar School, and entered Pembroke College, Cambridge, in 1924, where he studied classics and oriental languages. He was head of the Classics Department, Cairo University, 1932-1934, and assistant librarian, India Office, London, 1934-1939. He worked in the Ministry of Information, 1939-1944, and thereafter became Professor of Persian (1944) and of Arabic (1946) at London University. In 1947 he was appointed Professor of Arabic at Cambridge University. Arberry published over sixty works, as well as a translation of the Koran (1935). He died in Cambridge on 2 October 1969.

From the guide to the Arthur Arberry: Correspondence and papers, 20th century, (Cambridge University Library, Department of Manuscripts and University Archives)

1932-1934 head of department of classics, University of Cairo; 1934-1939 assistant librarian, India Office; 1939 War Office (Postal Censorship); 1940-1944 served in the Ministry of Information; 1944 chair of Persian, University of London; 1946 professor of Arabic, University of London, and head of the Near and Middle East department, School of Oriental and African Studies; 1947-1969 professor of Arabic, University of Cambridge; 1949 fellow of the British Academy; 1963 honorary DLitt, Royal University of Malta; 1964 Nishan-i-Danish, first class (Iran).

Epithet: orientalist

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000001394.0x0000bb

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Herbert Niel Randle papers., 1924-1957 British Library
creatorOf Arthur John Arberry papers., 1934-1939 British Library
referencedIn Papers of Robert Graves: Correspondence (arranged by correspondent), c1909 to 2004 St John's College, Oxford
referencedIn Arthur Arberry: Correspondence and papers, 20th century Cambridge University Library, Department of Manuscripts and University Archives
creatorOf Arthur Arberry: Correspondence and papers, 20th century Cambridge University Library, Department of Manuscripts and University Archives
creatorOf Arthur John Arberry papers. British Library
referencedIn Papers of Robert Graves: Critical prose and journalism, 1927 to 2003 St John's College, Oxford
referencedIn Drafts for Volume 3 of the Catalogue of Persian manuscripts at the India Office Library, compiled (c 1930 s) by Charles Ambrose Storey, Arthur John Arberry and Reuben Levy British Library
creatorOf Arthur John Arberry papers., 1798-1935 British Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Arthur John Arberry person
associatedWith Beatty Sir Alfred Chester 1875-1968 person
associatedWith Graves, Robert Ranke, 1895-1985 person
associatedWith Graves, Robert Windham, 1858-1934 person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Subject
Asian cultures
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Person

Birth 1905-05-12

Death 1969-10-02

Britons

English

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