Tuesday, April 29, 2008

I did not have time to write anything about the late George Atiyyah, who died a few days ago. He was (since 1967) the head of the Near East section of the Library of Congress until his retirement. He was an expert on Islamic philosophy, and received his training at the University of Chicago. I met him in Washington, DC during my dears of residence there, although I did not know him well. But I will always be grateful for his kindness toward me. He knew of my bibliographical obsessions, and he invited me to visit him at the Library of Congress to talk about books and manuscripts. He even allowed me--after some pleading on my part--to enter the stacks' area, where visitors are not allowed. For that, I am grateful.