Edward Said (1935-2003) was a renowned Palestinian-American scholar, literary critic, and public intellectual. He is best known for his groundbreaking work, “Orientalism,” which challenged Western perceptions of the East and laid the foundation for postcolonial studies.

Biography

Attribute	Details
Full Name	Edward Wadie Said
Born	1 November 1935, Jerusalem, Mandatory Palestine
Died	24 September 2003
Nationality	Palestinian-American
Profession	Philosopher, Academic, Literary Critic, Political Activist
Known For	Founding Post-colonial Studies, Book “Orientalism” (1978)
Education	BA in English, Princeton University (1957) MA in English Literature, Harvard University (1960) PhD in English Literature, Harvard University (1964)
Principal Influences	Antonio Gramsci, Frantz Fanon, Aimé Césaire, Michel Foucault, Theodor W. Adorno
Academic Career	Professor of Literature at Columbia University (1963-2003)
Public Intellectual	Member of Palestinian National Council Advocated for Two-State Solution and later a One-State Solution Criticized Oslo Accords
Co-founded	West–Eastern Divan Orchestra (1999) with Daniel Barenboim
Books	“Orientalism” (1978) “Parallels and Paradoxes: Explorations in Music and Society” (2002) with Daniel Barenboim
Other Interests	Accomplished Pianist

Early Life

Edward Wadie Said was born on November 1, 1935, in Jerusalem, which was then part of the British Mandate of Palestine. He was raised in an affluent and cosmopolitan family that valued education and cultural engagement. His father, Wadie Said, was a successful businessman, and his mother, Hilda Said, was deeply involved in his early education. Edward spent his early years in Jerusalem and Cairo, moving frequently between the two cities. In 1947, amidst the political turmoil leading up to the creation of the state of Israel, his family relocated permanently to Cairo. Said’s upbringing in a multicultural and politically charged environment significantly influenced his later work as a literary theorist, cultural critic, and advocate for Palestinian rights.

Family

Name	Relationship	Information
Wadie Said	Father	Wadie Said was a businessman of Palestinian descent, who had served in the U.S. Army during World War I. He later moved to Cairo, where Edward was born.
Hilda Said	Mother	Hilda Said, née Musa, was a Lebanese Christian who raised Edward in a multilingual and multicultural environment in Cairo.
Rosemary Said	Sister	Rosemary Said is Edward Said’s sister. Information about her is relatively scarce compared to her brother, but she has been mentioned in his memoirs.

Height, Weight, And Other Body Measurements

Attribute	Measurement
Height	Unknown
Weight	Unknown
Chest Size	Unknown
Waist Size	Unknown
Hip Size	Unknown
Shoe Size	Unknown

Wife/husband / Girlfriend/boyfriend

Edward Said was married to Mariam Cortas. The couple got married in 1962 and remained together until Edward Said’s death in 2003. Mariam Cortas is of Lebanese descent and has been described as a supportive partner throughout Edward’s life and career.

There is no widely available information about Edward Said having had any previous relationships before his marriage to Mariam Cortas.

Summary Table

Partner Name	Relationship Type	Details
Mariam Cortas	Wife	Married in 1962, remained together until Edward’s death in 2003

Career, Achievements And Controversies

Edward Said became famous primarily through his groundbreaking work in the field of post-colonial studies. His book Orientalism (1978) is widely regarded as one of the most influential texts of the 20th century. In this work, Said explores how the Western world perceives and represents the Eastern world, arguing that these representations are deeply intertwined with the power dynamics and colonial interests of the West.

Edward Said’s career began in academia. He was born in Jerusalem in 1935 and later moved to the United States, where he attended Princeton University and subsequently earned his Ph.D. from Harvard University. He joined the faculty at Columbia University, where he eventually became a full professor of English and Comparative Literature.

• Orientalism (1978): This seminal work analyzed how Western scholars and colonial administrators constructed the “Orient” as an exotic and inferior counterpart to the “Occident.”
• The Question of Palestine (1979): In this book, Said provided a historical overview and personal account of the Palestinian struggle for self-determination.
• Culture and Imperialism (1993): This book extended the analysis of Orientalism, examining the cultural representations that supported imperialism.
• Out of Place: A Memoir (1999): This autobiography details his early life and the sense of dislocation he felt growing up.

• Bowdoin Prize (1957): Awarded by Harvard University for his undergraduate essay.
• Morton Dauwen Zabel Award (1994): Given by the American Academy of Arts and Letters for his work in literature.
• Prince of Asturias Award for Concord (2002): Recognized for his efforts in promoting peace and understanding.

• Political Views on Palestine: Said was a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights, which led to significant controversy. His criticisms of Israeli policies and U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East made him a polarizing figure.
• Academic Criticism: Some scholars criticized his work as overly deterministic and for allegedly overlooking the complexity of interactions between the West and the East. Critics argued that Said’s framework could sometimes be too rigid, failing to account for the nuances of cultural exchange.
• Personal Attacks: Said faced personal attacks and accusations, particularly from pro-Israel groups. These included questioning his background and allegations of misrepresenting his upbringing.

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