Title: Eastern wisedome and learning
First published: 1996
Description: This book narrates the extraordinary growth in the study of Arabic in England from the late sixteenth century, when it was almost non-existent, to the end of the seventeenth. By its high point around 1666, England was preeminent among European countries in the study of Arabic. Permanent chairs of Arabic had been established at Oxford and Cambridge, and specialized presses in Oxford and London had produced important Arabic works.

In this masterly and original study, Professor Toomer gives the first detailed account of this process, set against the religious and political background in England and in Europe. He shows how trade with the Ottoman Empire and mistrust of Islam influenced the study of Arabic. Finally, he traces the course and causes of the drastic decline in Arabic studies towards the end of the century.
Subjects: History, Arabists, Arabic language, Study and teaching (Higher), Arabic language--study and teaching (higher)--history, Arabic language--study and teaching (higher)--great britain--history--17th century, Arabists--history, Arabists--great britain--history--17th century, Philology, oriental--history, Pj6068.g7 t66 1996, 492/.78/0071141
Places: Great Britain
Time periods: 17th century
LC classification: PJ6068.G7 T66 1996