H. A. R. Gibb

Quick Facts: Who was H. A. R. Gibb?

Subject:

H. A. R. Gibb

Known for:

Scottish Orientalist renowned for his seminal works on Islamic history and Arabic literature.

Born:

1895-01-02

Died:

1971-10-22

Century / Era:

1895s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Sir Hamilton Alexander Rosskeen Gibb (2 January 1895 – 22 October 1971), known as H. A. R. Gibb, was a Scottish historian and Orientalist. Gibb was born on Wednesday, 2 January 1895, in Alexandria, Egypt, to Alexander Crawford Gibb, the son of John Gibb of Gladstone, Renfrewshire, Scotland, and Jane Ann Gardner of Greenock, Scotland. His father died in 1897, following which his mother took up a teaching position in Alexandria. Hamilton returned to Scotland for his formal education at the age of five: first, four years of private tuition, after which he started at the Royal High School, Edinburgh in 1904, staying until 1912. His education was focused on classics, though it included French, German, and physical sciences.

Career & Major Achievements

In 1912, Hamilton matriculated at University of Edinburgh, joining the new honours program in Semitic languages (Hebrew, Arabic, and Aramaic). Hamilton's mother died in 1913 while he was studying in his second year at university. He had two brothers, Euston Gibb and Archibald Gibb.(family knowledge) During World War I, Gibb broke off his studies at the University of Edinburgh to serve for the Royal Artillery of the United Kingdom in France from February 1917 and for several months in Italy as a commissioned officer. He was commissioned at the age of 19. He was awarded a "war privilege" undergraduate Master of Arts (MA) because of his service until the Armistice of 11 November 1918.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

After the war Gibb studied Arabic at SOAS, University of London, gaining his postgraduate MA in 1922. His MA thesis, published later by the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland as a monograph, was on the Muslim conquest of Transoxiana. From 1921 to 1937 Gibb taught Arabic literature at the then School of Oriental Studies, guided by Professor Thomas Arnold, becoming a professor there in 1930. During this time he was an editor of the Encyclopaedia of Islam. Among his students was the British Arabist and Reader in Arabic, James Heyworth-Dunne.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1895 (1895-01-02): Birth of H. A. R. Gibb — Scottish Orientalist renowned for his seminal works on Islamic history and Arabic literature.
2. 1897: 1897 Milestone — His father died in 1897, following which his mother took up a teaching position in Alexandria.
3. 1904: 1904 Milestone — Hamilton returned to Scotland for his formal education at the age of five: first, four years of private tuition, after which he started at the Royal High School, Edinburgh in 1904, staying until 1912.
4. 1912: 1912 Milestone — In 1912, Hamilton matriculated at University of Edinburgh, joining the new honours program in Semitic languages (Hebrew, Arabic, and Aramaic).
5. 1913: 1913 Milestone — Hamilton's mother died in 1913 while he was studying in his second year at university.
6. 1917: 1917 Milestone — (family knowledge) During World War I, Gibb broke off his studies at the University of Edinburgh to serve for the Royal Artillery of the United Kingdom in France from February 1917 and for several months in Italy as a commissioned officer.
7. 1918: 1918 Milestone — He was awarded a "war privilege" undergraduate Master of Arts (MA) because of his service until the Armistice of 11 November 1918.
8. 1921: 1921 Milestone — From 1921 to 1937 Gibb taught Arabic literature at the then School of Oriental Studies, guided by Professor Thomas Arnold, becoming a professor there in 1930.
9. 1922: 1922 Milestone — After the war Gibb studied Arabic at SOAS, University of London, gaining his postgraduate MA in 1922.
10. 1971 (1971-10-22): Passing & Historical Legacy — H. A. R. Gibb passed away on 1971-10-22, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: H. A. R. Gibb

True or False: “H. A. R. Gibb's initial studies at the University of Edinburgh focused exclusively on Semitic languages like Hebrew and Arabic.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While he specialized in Semitic languages, his early education was broader, including coursework in French, German, and physical sciences.

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• 1895 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1895
• January 2 (01-02) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on January 2
• 1971 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1971
• October 22 (10-22) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on October 22

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