The publication La Revue Phénicienne, founded in July 1919, served as a primary platform for intellectuals to cultivate a national identity beyond sectarian lines. Charles Corm established this journal as a core component of the Phoenicianism movement, which proved instrumental in shaping the political climate and eventual independence of Lebanon during the twentieth century.
Early Business Ventures
Born in Beirut in 1894, Corm attended Saint Joseph University of Beirut. Upon graduating at eighteen, he relocated to New York City. Operating out of a small Wall Street office, he focused on import and export operations. His observation of the American automobile industry led him to secure regional dealerships for major corporations including Firestone and Goodyear after World War I. These mechanical imports played a significant role in modernizing regional transport and agricultural infrastructure.
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In 1929, Corm completed a skyscraper in Beirut that later served as the family residence. This building mirrored the structural aesthetics of American urban design and featured expansive gardens containing archaeological artifacts. Simultaneously, he maintained a prolific writing career, primarily in French. His work, La Montagne Inspirée, received the Edgar Allan Poe International Prize of Poetry in 1934. He also translated Khalil Gibran’s work, The Prophet, into French.
Philanthropy and Public Service
Corm retired from business at age forty to dedicate his resources to civic development. He assisted in the establishment of the National Library and the National Museum of Lebanon. His role in international relations was solidified when he oversaw the Lebanese pavilion at the 1939 New York World’s Fair, an effort for which Mayor LaGuardia named him a Citizen of Honor of New York City.
Family and Recognition
In 1935, Corm married Samia Baroody, who held the title of the first Miss Lebanon. The couple had four children: David, Hiram, Virginie, and Madeleine. Over his lifetime, Corm received numerous distinctions, including the Medal of Honor from the Académie Française in 1950 and the rank of Grand Officer of the National Order of the Cedar in Lebanon. He died in Beirut in 1963.
Fast facts
- Born: 1894, Beirut
- Died: 1963, Beirut
- Education: Saint Joseph University of Beirut
- Spouse: Samia Baroody
- Literary Achievement: Edgar Allan Poe International Prize of Poetry, 1934
- Citizenship: Lebanon
- Notable Role: Leader of the Phoenicianism movement
Questions readers ask
What was Charles Corm’s primary language for writing?
Although he was a prominent Lebanese intellectual, he wrote primarily in French.
Did Charles Corm have any ties to the United States?
Yes. He conducted import-export business in New York as a young man, secured automotive dealerships from American firms, and was named a Citizen of Honor of New York City.
Achievements
- Educated at Saint Joseph University of Beirut
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