Edward Said emerged as a central figure in humanities through his 1978 publication Orientalism, a text that analyzed how Western representations shaped perceptions of the Middle East. Born in Jerusalem in 1935, his academic trajectory spanned Harvard and Princeton before he established a career at Columbia University, where he taught from 1963 until his death in 2003.
Early Life and Education
Born in 1935 during the British Mandate for Palestine, Said grew up in a family of Arab Christians. His father had earned American citizenship through service in the United States Army during World War I. His early schooling at St. George’s School in Jerusalem was interrupted by intercommunal violence. After moving to Egypt, he attended Victoria College. Eventually relocating to the United States, he graduated from the Northfield Mount Hermon School and completed his bachelor's degree at Princeton University in 1957. He subsequently earned his doctorate from Harvard University in 1964.
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Said joined the faculty at Columbia University in 1963, maintaining his position there for four decades. He held various prestigious visiting appointments, including roles at Harvard University, Stanford University, and Johns Hopkins University. Throughout his career, he lectured at over 200 universities across the globe. He was a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Philosophical Society, contributing significantly to the fields of literary theory and comparative literature.
Political and Public Engagement
Beyond the classroom, Said engaged in public discourse as a political analyst. He served on the Palestinian National Council, initially advocating for a two-state solution. His stance evolved, and by 1999, he argued for a single Israeli-Palestinian state. In 1993, he resigned from the Council due to his opposition to the Oslo Accords. His commitment to the role of the public intellectual was also documented in his 1993 BBC Reith Lectures, where he scrutinized the responsibility of individuals in judging and criticizing societal narratives.
Fast facts
- Born: 1935, Jerusalem
- Died: 2003, New York City
- Citizenship: United States and Mandatory Palestine
- Doctorate: Harvard University, 1964
- Key Publication: Orientalism (1978)
- Primary Employer: Columbia University
- Languages: English, Arabic, Levantine Arabic
- Princess of Asturias Award: 2002
Questions readers ask
What was the core argument of Orientalism?
It provided a critique of the cultural representations used by the Western world to define and perceive the Orient.
Did Said maintain his role in Palestinian politics throughout his life?
He served on the Palestinian National Council but resigned in 1993 after disagreeing with the Oslo Accords.
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