Archives and Special Collections Subject Guide: Literature

Jirji Zaydan, (1861-1914), a prolific Lebanese novelist, journalist, editor and teacher, most noted for his creation of the magazine Al-Hilal, Born in Beirut, joined the Syrian Protestant College Medical School for a few years to leave it in 1882 following the Edwin Lewis issue. Zaydan moved to Cairo where he established “Dar al Hilal" publishing house in 1892. The collection includes Jirji Zaydan’s correspondence, notebooks, manuscripts and English translation of his Novel “the Virgin of Koreish. Zaydan.(Intellectual History, Publishing, Newspapers)
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May Ziadeh (1886-1941) a Lebanese–Palestinian poet and writer. The Archives holds 4 original letters for May Ziadeh, magazine articles, a pamphlet and some addresses. May was frequently invited to the American University of Beirut where she delivered four speeches. The first lecture she delivered at AUB was in December 1922 while her last visit was on December 20, 1938 to speak about the “The strength and weakness in our spiritual life”. (May Ziadeh, Arab feminists, Correspondence)
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A distinguished scholar, educator, literary critic, and AUB professor, Muhammad Yusuf Najm (1863-2009) worked hard to promote the social and cultural significance of the Arabic novel, theater, and poetry for Arab societies. The collection contains some correspondence with Arab authors and scholars, as well as a few manuscripts of early, unpublished Arabic and Egyptian plays. (Arab Literature, Arab Drama)

Anis Frayha, (1903-1993), a Lebanese author, researcher, professor of Semitic languages, and educator of many generations. The Anis Frayha collection, one linear foot, includes his biography, diaries, ephemera related to his honoring, few photos and an obituary. (Linguistics, Social history, Education).
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The collection gives a glimpse into the life of Mrs. Evelyne Bustros and the political scene in Lebanon during the Mandate period, independence and the formation of the State, as well as onto the socio-political position of women in Lebanese society during this period. The collection includes correspondence, photographs, clippings, accounting books; published material, as well as some ephemera. (Gender Studies, Socio-economic and political history of modern Lebanon, Middle Eastern Studies, French Mandate, Independence.)
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Shakib Arslan, a Lebanese politician and diplomat, poet, and prolific writer, (1869-1946), who rallied for Arab Independence from the French and British Mandates. His collection of correspondence and photos spans the years 1936 to 1948; including many letters exchanged between Arslan and his friend and publisher, Mohammad Ali al-Tahir (editor of ālshura, ālshabāb). (French Mandate, Levant, Modern Intellectual History, Political Science, Middle East)
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Emily Fares Ibrahim, (1914-2011), was a Lebanese writer, poet, and feminist. She was the first woman to run for the parliamentary elections in Lebanon and was a notable face of the Lebanese Social Movement. She headed the National Mobilization Committee, established in 1982, as well as the National Council of Women. The Collection consists of photos, correspondence and audiovisuals etc. and is important for researchers interested in gender studies and women both in politics and social work..(Women in Politics, Women writers. Social Work)
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Anis Sayigh, (1931-2009). was a Palestinian Arab historian. He chaired the Palestine Research Center and was interested to safeguard the Palestinian collective memory thus was one of the main driving forces behind the Palestinian Encyclopedia. The collection includes Anis’s personal documents, certificates, interviews, articles, honoring, memorial ceremonies, correspondence and photos. The collection also contains material related to Tawfiq Sayigh and his work. (Arab Historian, Awards, Arabic literature, Poetry)

Lebanese American Etel Adnan was an author, poet, abstract painter & visual artist. Her collection of journals, calendars, manuscripts, and correspondence spans decades (1980s-2010) and continents (US, Europe, Africa, Asia). (Artists, Lebanon)