Rashid-al-Din Hamadani belongs to the literary record as a writer whose work outlasted the moment that produced it.
The record lists Rashid-al-Din Hamadani as Persian physician and historian (1247-1318).
Rashid-al-Din Hamadani was born at Hamadan in 1247. His recorded nationality is Ilkhanate.
Manuscript culture meant a text travelled only as fast as scribes could copy it, and often changed as it went.
He worked as historian, physician and inventor.
The writing is recorded in Arabic.
His best-known work is Jami' al-tawarikh. Literature is judged by re-reading, which is a slower and harsher test than acclaim.
That the work was written from Ilkhanate matters: language, censorship and the reach of a publishing industry decide which books travel and which stay local.
Rashid-al-Din Hamadani died in 1318, aged 71. The books remain, which is the only durable form a writing life takes.
Achievements
- Notable work: Jami' al-tawarikh
