Born in London on 31 May 1916, Bernard Lewis became a defining figure in oriental studies and Middle Eastern history. Throughout a career spanning over seven decades, he moved from early research into medieval Arab professional guilds to examining the decline of the Ottoman Empire, eventually influencing public policy and academic discourse on Islam and its interaction with the West.
Academic Foundation
Lewis pursued his early education at the School of Oriental Studies in London, graduating in 1936 with a degree in history. He completed his PhD at the same institution three years later. During this period, he also expanded his linguistic and historical training at the Faculty of Arts of Paris, where he earned a Diplôme des Études Sémitiques in 1937. These formative years established the scholarly rigor he would later apply to his extensive body of work.
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In 1938, Lewis began his professional career as an assistant lecturer at the University of London. Following a period of service in the Intelligence Corps during the Second World War and a secondment to the Foreign Office, he returned to the School of Oriental and African Studies. In 1949, he was appointed to a chair in Near and Middle Eastern history. By 1974, he accepted a joint position at Princeton University and the Institute for Advanced Study, remaining there until his retirement in 1986, after which he served at Cornell University until 1990.
Research and Methodology
Lewis shifted his focus toward Ottoman history after 1948, utilizing newly accessible archives to provide comprehensive analyses of Islamic society, governance, and demographics. His research frequently posited that the decline of the Middle East resulted from internal cultural and religious factors rather than external pressures. This analytical approach gained significant attention, though it drew criticism from peers who argued his work relied on generalizations and essentialist interpretations of Muslim societies.
Public Influence and Legacy
The scope of his influence reached beyond the university classroom, as he engaged in high-profile debates with scholars such as Edward Said and advised policymakers on Middle Eastern affairs. His professional honors include the Harvey Prize, the Jefferson Lecture, and the National Humanities Medal. Lewis remained active as a scholar and commentator until his death in 2018 at the age of 102 in Voorhees Township. He was buried at the Trumpeldor cemetery.
Fast facts
- Born: 1916, London
- Died: 2018, Voorhees Township
- Academic Degree: Doctor of Philosophy
- Language: English
- Fellowship: British Academy
- Notable Award: National Humanities Medal (2006)
- Notable Award: Harvey Prize (1978)
- Burial Site: Trumpeldor cemetery
Questions readers ask
What was Bernard Lewis's academic specialty?
He specialized in the history of Islam, oriental studies, and the interactions between the Islamic world and the West.
Where did Bernard Lewis teach during his career?
He held positions at the University of London, Princeton University, the Institute for Advanced Study, and Cornell University.
Achievements
- National Humanities Medal — 2006
- Harvey Prize — 1978
- Fellow of the British Academy
