Ibn Abi Tahir Tayfur and Arabic Writerly Culture: A Ninth Century Bookman in Baghdad

by Shawkat M. Toorawa

Overview

Toorawa re-evaluates the literary history and landscape of third to ninth century Baghdad by demonstrating and emphasizing the significance of the important transition from a predominantly oral-aural culture to an increasingly literate one. This transformation had a profound influence on the production of learned and literary culture; modes of transmission of learning; nature and types of literary production; nature of scholarly and professional occupations and alliances; and ranges of meanings of certain key concepts, such as plagiarism. In order to better understand these, attention is focused on a central but understudied figure, Ibn Abi Tahir Tayfur (d. 280 to 893), a writer, schoolmaster, scholar and copyist, member of important literary circles, and a significant anthologist and chronicler. This book will appeal to anyone interested in Arabic literary culture and history, and those with an interest in books, writing, authorship and patronage.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415297622
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	05/16/2005
Series:	Routledge Studies in Middle Eastern Literatures
Pages:	228
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Shawkat M. Toorawa is Assistant Professor of Arabic Literature at Cornell University. He has co-authored Interpreting the Self: Autobiography in the Arabic Literary Tradition (University of California, 2001); co-edited Arabic Literary Culture, 500-925 (Gale, 2004); and translated Adonis's A Time between Ashes and Roses (Syracuse University Press, 2004).

Table of Contents

Introduction 1. From Memory to Written Record 2. Being a Bookman in Baghdad 3. Navigating Partisan Shoals in Writerly Baghdad 4. Writerly Networks of Baghdad 5. Ibn Abi Tahir's Output and Writerly Culture 6. Ibn Abi Tahir's Poetry and Writerly Culture Conclusion: Revisiting Arabic Literary History