Hunger and Famines

Antun bin Jamil Al-Jumayyil (1887–1948) was a prominent Lebanese writer, journalist, and politician who left a clear mark on the history of modern Arab journalism and literature during the first half of the 20th century. He was renowned for his editorship of the venerable Egyptian newspaper Al-Ahram and his profound contributions to enriching the literary and intellectual movement in Egypt and the Arab world. He was distinguished by his solid prose style and his exceptional ability to combine journalistic work with sophisticated literary and theatrical production.

Al-Jumayyil was born in Beirut and received his education at Saint Joseph University, where his literary talent blossomed early. He co-founded Al-Zuhur literary magazine in 1910 in collaboration with Sheikh Amin Taqi al-Din. He then moved to Egypt, which was then a cradle of the Arab intellectual renaissance, joining the editorial staff of Al-Ahram newspaper. He rose through its ranks until he assumed its editorship in 1933 after the death of Daoud Barakat, remaining in this position to lead public opinion and guide the newspaper's editorial policy for many years.

In addition to his diligent journalistic activity, Antun Al-Jumayyil engaged in political and cultural life in Egypt; he became a member of the Egyptian Senate and was chosen as a member of the Academy of the Arabic Language in Cairo in recognition of his great services to the Arabic language. These diverse experiences, between the corridors of politics, the hustle of journalism, and literary salons, were reflected in his writings, which were characterized by depth, analysis, and commitment to national and humanitarian issues, making him one of the pioneers of the literary renaissance of his era.

Key Works

• Al-Samaw'al (1909): A historical poetic play inspired by the famous story of loyalty of the pre-Islamic poet Al-Samaw'al ibn Adiya to embody the values of sacrifice and covenant in a solid dramatic framework.
• Shawqi (1933): A comprehensive critical literary study reviewing the life of the Prince of Poets Ahmed Shawqi, his poetic genius, and his immortal impact on the development of modern Arabic poetry.
• Hunger and Famines (1944): A book that examines the history of famines, their causes, and their social and economic effects on human societies throughout the ages, using a precise scientific and analytical approach.