Edward FitzGerald (poet)

Edward FitzGerald (31 March 1809 – 14 June 1883) was an English writer, best known as the poet and translator of Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám, which brought Persian poetry to a wide English-speaking audience.

FitzGerald was born Edward Purcell, but adopted the name FitzGerald in 1818 after his mother inherited family property. He was educated at King Edward VI School, Bury St Edmunds, and Trinity College, Cambridge. Although he enjoyed a comfortable income, he preferred a reclusive life, living mostly in rural Suffolk.

While he wrote original poetry, FitzGerald's fame rests primarily on his translations. His first published translation was Six Dramas of Calderón in 1853. This was followed by his highly celebrated Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám in 1859. The Rubáiyát, a free and poetic rendering rather than a literal translation, initially received little attention. However, its popularity grew steadily throughout the late 19th century, eventually becoming a literary sensation and influencing Victorian culture. His other translations include versions of Persian poetry, such as Salaman and Absal (1856) and The Bird Parliament (1889, posthumously published), and Greek drama, including Agamemnon (1865) and Oedipus Rex (1880).

FitzGerald’s translation style was characterized by its looseness and adaptation, focusing on conveying the spirit and emotion of the original work rather than adhering strictly to literal accuracy. This approach, while criticized by some scholars, contributed significantly to the enduring appeal and accessibility of the Rubáiyát. He is remembered as a significant figure in the popularization of Eastern literature in the West.