Edward Said (November 1, 1935 – September 25, 2003) was a prominent Palestinian-American literary theorist, cultural critic, and political activist. He was born in Jerusalem, which was then part of British-administered Palestine, and later became a U.S. citizen. Said’s work had a significant impact on postcolonial studies and cultural theory. 

Said was born into a Palestinian Christian family. His father was a U.S. citizen, and his mother was born in Nazareth.

He grew up in Jerusalem and later attended schools in Cairo and Alexandria.

In 1951, Said moved to the United States, where he attended a private preparatory school in Massachusetts.

Said earned his bachelor’s degree from Princeton University in 1957 and completed his Ph.D. at Harvard University in 1964, studying English literature.

He became a professor of English and Comparative Literature at Columbia University, where he taught for several decades until his death.

Said’s influential work, “Orientalism” (1978), critiqued Western representations of the East, arguing that they often reflected colonialist attitudes and biases. This book became a foundational text in postcolonial studies.

Said was an outspoken advocate for Palestinian rights and was involved in various political activities related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

He co-founded the Palestinian National Initiative, a political party aimed at achieving a peaceful resolution to the conflict based on a two-state solution.

Said’s advocacy work often attracted controversy and criticism, but he remained a committed voice for Palestinian self-determination.

Apart from “Orientalism,” Said wrote extensively on literature, culture, and politics. His other notable works include “Culture and Imperialism” (1993) and “Covering Islam” (1981).

Said’s multidisciplinary approach bridged the gap between literary studies, cultural theory, and political activism, earning him recognition as a leading intellectual figure.

Despite battling leukemia, Said continued his academic and advocacy work until his death in 2003.

His influence extended beyond academia, impacting fields like cultural studies, postcolonial theory, and Middle Eastern studies.

Several books and documentaries have been produced about his life and ideas, ensuring that his legacy endures in the intellectual and political spheres.

Edward Said’s work continues to shape discussions on imperialism, cultural representation, and identity. He remains a key figure in the study of postcolonialism and has left a lasting impact on the understanding of power dynamics between the East and the West.