Life and Legacy of Edward Said
Edward Said was born in Jerusalem on November 1, 1935, during the British Mandate of Palestine. During early childhood, Said and his family were impacted by European colonialism and were eventually displaced by the Arab-Israeli War of 1948. Sent to live in the United States, Said completed his undergraduate studies at Princeton University (1957), and earned an MA (1960) and a PhD in English Literature (1964) from Harvard University. His academic journey continued at Columbia, where he accepted a teaching position and later ascended to the title of University Professor.
A luminary in the field of Post-Colonial Studies, Said’s seminal work, “Orientalism” and subsequent publications like “Question of Palestine” and “Covering Islam” left an indelible mark on academia. Said’s work had the power to be both specific to countries and broadly applicable to those experiencing colonial rule.
Through Said’s public engagement work, he made a large impact advocating for the Palestinian narrative in the West and for the right of Palestinian self-determination. Said advocated for Palestinians in many ways, including through his involvement as a member of the Association of Arab American University Graduates (AAUG). Founded in 1967, it was one of the earliest Arab American activist groups, focused on public advocacy work for Palestine. This group was based in Michigan at Eastern Michigan University.
Amid his scholarly pursuits, Edward Said was recognized with an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the University of Michigan in 1998. After a 12 year battle with leukemia, Said passed away in 2003. Yet, his enduring legacy persists. His memorial service, attended by over 2,000 people at New York’s Riverside Church, underscored his profound impact, and his legacy endures as a beacon of truth, unwavering voices, and a relentless champion for diverse perspectives.
In 2022, Mariam C. Said, Edward Said’s widow, carries forward the legacy, serving as the Vice President of the Barenboim-Said Foundation USA and contributing to the board of The Barenboim-Said Music Center in Ramallah, Palestine. The interwoven tapestry of Said’s life and legacy remains an inspiration, transcending borders and academic realms.
Photo: The Wall Street Journal
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