The Book of Mirdad stands as the most enduring contribution of Mikhail Naimy, an author whose career spanned the Ottoman Empire, the Lebanese Republic, and the United States. Born in Baskinta in 1889, Naimy navigated multiple linguistic and cultural landscapes, establishing himself as a significant figure in both modern Arabic literature and 20th-century philosophical discourse.
Early Education and Migration
Naimy began his formative education in his village school in Baskinta before attending the Russian Teachers' Institute in Nazareth and the Theological Seminary in Poltava. His departure for the United States in 1911 marked a shift in his trajectory, as he initially joined his brothers in Walla Walla, Washington, to assist in their furniture business. His academic pursuits led him to Seattle, where he completed degrees in law and liberal arts at the University of Washington. Following his graduation in 1916 and service in the U.S. Army in 1918, he transitioned toward the literary circles of New York City.
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In 1920, Naimy collaborated with figures such as Nasib Arida, Abd al-Masih Haddad, and Kahlil Gibran to re-establish the New York Pen League. This organization aimed to revitalize Arabic literature through a new movement of writers operating in exile. Serving as the league's secretary while Gibran held the role of president, Naimy contributed to a prolific era of Mahjari literature, producing works in Russian, Arabic, and English. His critical perspective was evident in publications such as his 1923 essay collection Al-Ghirbal.
Literary Output and Philosophy
Naimy’s diverse bibliography includes drama, short stories, and novels, alongside significant biographical and critical works. His output featured titles such as the 1918 play Al-ʾābāʾ wa-l-banūn, the short story collections Kān mā Kān, ʾAkābir, and ʾAbū Baṭṭa, and the novel Mudhakkirāt al-ʾArqaš. His autobiographical project, Sabʿūn: ḥikāyat ʿumr, spanned 1959 to 1960. Central to his reputation is his spiritual writing, specifically The Book of Mirdad, which gained international attention after its publication in Beirut in 1948.
Return to Lebanon and Final Years
After living in the United States for 21 years, Naimy returned to his birthplace of Baskinta in 1932. He remained there for the duration of his later life, continuing his work as a poet and philosopher within the changing geopolitical context of the Lebanese Republic under the French mandate and beyond. He died of pneumonia in Beirut on February 28, 1988, at the age of 98.
Fast facts
- Born: 1889, Baskinta
- Died: 28 February 1988, Beirut
- Citizenship: Ottoman Empire, United States, Lebanese Republic
- Education: University of Washington School of Law
- Pen League role: Secretary
- Notable work: The Book of Mirdad
- Languages: English, Arabic, Russian
- Key associations: Kahlil Gibran
Questions readers ask
What was the New York Pen League?
It was a literary organization formed in 1920 by Arab émigré writers, including Mikhail Naimy and Kahlil Gibran, to stimulate a rebirth of Arabic literature.
Where did Mikhail Naimy study law?
He earned his law degree at the University of Washington.
Achievements
- Notable work: The Book of Mirdad
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