Abdul Rahman Al Rafei Historian of Modern Egypt
Egypt, Culture, 2/8/2000

Abdul Rahman Al Rafei, an Egyptian historian who chronicled the one-and-half-century era of Egyptian history that started with the Napoleon Expedition in 1798, believed that history is a school for reforming the behavior of peoples. He deemed it essential to be acquainted with the national history of the nation and the efforts of all the categories of the Egyptian people to attain liberty and independence throughout its ancient as well as modern history. Thus, the people will come to know their rights, foremost among which is liberty."

Abdul Rahman A1 Rafei was born in Cairo. His father was one of Al-Azhar "Ulemas" (or scholars).

In 1908 he graduated from the Faculty of law He. mastered both English and French and worked as a reporter with "Al Lewwa"' daily . One of his famous topics was a comparison between the status of women in Egypt and France.

* In 1909 joined the bar.

* He was influenced by two political leaders of his time, Mustapha Kamel and Mohamed Farid, who encouraged him to write an honest and true history of Egypt. He accompanied Mohamed Farid in his trip to Europe to drum up public opinion's support to Egypt's cause.

* He authored some twenty books most famous of which is the Rights of the People." In 1914 he authored a book on "Agricultural Cooperatives" which is the first of its kind in Egypt.

* He spent the period from August 1915 till July 1916 in jail as a political prisoner. In 1919 he took part in the national revolution.

* Following the promulgation of the 1923 constitution, he was returned to the first Egyptian Parliament .

* In 1924 he started a diary on modern Egyptian history authenticating his work with historical documents. He authored 15 volumes on Egyptian History from 1517 to 1959.

* In 1929, his first book on the French Expedition appeared.

* He clashed with King Fouad (1917- 1935) over a book he authored on the extravagance of King Fouad's father Khedive Ismail (1863-1879).

* In 1932 he was chosen Secretary to the National Party.

* From 1939-1951 he was a member of the Egyptian Senate .

* In 1949 he was Minister of Supply in a coalition government.

* In March 1952 his book " Revolutionary Leader Ahmed Orabi "was banned.

* In 1954 he became the Chairman of the Bar Association.

* On June 28, 1961, he was awarded the State Recognition Award for Literature and Social Sciences.

* On February 3, 1964, he was nominated by the History and Monuments Committee for the Nobel Peace Prize .

* On January 30, 1965 he was selected member to the Supreme Council for Arts and Literature.

* On December 3, 1965 he died and, according to his will, was buried next to his comrades Mustapha Kamel and Mohamed Farid.

* On May 30, 1980, late Egyptian President Anwar Sadat awarded him the Collar of the Republic posthumously.


The following are some of his histories on modern Egypt:

1) History of the National Movement and Development of the System of Government in Egypt since the French Campaign until Mohamed Ali assumed power according to the people's will in 1805.

2) The Rule of Khedives Ismail, Abbas and Tewfik.

3) Egyptian National History from the Reign of Mohamed Ali until 1948.

4)The Orabi Revolution and British Occupation (1882-1892).

5) Mustapha Kamel, the Leader of National Movement (1892-1908).

6) Mohamed Farid It covers Egypt's history until 1919.

7) The 1919 Revolution (in five volumes) dealing With Egypt's history before and after the 1919 Revolution (1914-1951).

8) Precursors of the July 23, Revolution.

9) The July 23 Revolution: Seven years after 1959.

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