Anniversary of Mohammad Shafeeq Ghorbal, a prominent Arab historian (1894-1961)

Mohammad Shafeeq Ghorbal was not only a prominent Egyptian historian but he also was the founder of outstanding school of historical interpretation, based on scientific verification and analysis of events, rather than narration of an details and day-to-day recording. He largely depended on the writing of the most famous Egyptian historian abdul-Rahman al-Gabarti in unveiling truths of history. His historical research work has been acclaimed by the international scientific community.

Birth and Education Born in Alexandria in 1894, he obtained his Higher Teachers' College Diploma in 1951. He then traveled to England, where he obtained B.A (History) (Honors) in 1919. In 1922, he obtained his M.A from London University for a thesis on "The Egyptian and Mohammad Ali in the mid-Twenties". Back home, he taught history at the Teachers' College and moved to the Egyptian University, where he spent the remaining part of his academic career. He retired in 1954, when he was deputy-minister of education.

He founded the Egyptian society of Historical studies. He also supervised post-graduate theses.

In 1957, he was appointed Director of the Arab League Institute of Arab Studies, succeeding the eminent Arab historian Sote' al-Hosari. He was also chosen member of the Arabic language Academy and the Supreme Council for letters, Arts and Social Science.

Dr. Ghorbal was a dedicated academician, who believed that the university was his proper natural habitat. During this time he sponsored the creation of the Civilization Museum until it came to existence in 1948.

Dr. Ghorbal on the independence of Egypt In his book entitled "General Jacob and Knight Lascarbis", Dr.Ghorbal touched on the question of Egypt's independence from the Ottoman Empire. He unveiled the project of Jacob Hanna who lived during the French Revolution and was influenced by its principles. Therefore, he toured Europe, advocating the independence of Egypt.

One of his outstanding works is "The Beginning of the Egyptian Issue and the Rise of Mohammad Ali", published in English in London (1928), which had been also subject of his M.A thesis obtained in 1928 under the supervision of the renown British historian Arnold Toynbee.

He also recorded the period of British Occupation of Egypt in his book "History of Egyptian-British Negotiations up to 1936", published in 1951.