John Verlenden
Encyclopedia
John Verlenden is an American
academic, writer and award-winning translator of Arabic literature
. He obtained a BA in English literature from Rhodes College
in 1986 followed by an MFA
in Creative Writing from Louisiana State University
in 1988. He has taught at a number of universities in the USA and the Middle East
, and currently works at the American University in Cairo
.
Verlenden and his AUC colleague Ferial Ghazoul have translated two works of Egyptian literature:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
academic, writer and award-winning translator of Arabic literature
Arabic literature
Arabic literature is the writing produced, both prose and poetry, by writers in the Arabic language. The Arabic word used for literature is adab which is derived from a meaning of etiquette, and implies politeness, culture and enrichment....
. He obtained a BA in English literature from Rhodes College
Rhodes College
Rhodes College is a private, predominantly undergraduate, liberal arts college located in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. Originally founded by freemasons in 1848, Rhodes became affiliated with the Presbyterian Church in 1855. Rhodes enrolls approximately 1,700 students pursuing bachelor's and master's...
in 1986 followed by an MFA
MFA
MFA may refer to:An academic degree or professional field:* Masters of Finance and Accounting* Master of Financial Analysis* Master of Fine Arts* Material Flow Accounting* Material Flow AnalysisA concept or phrase:* Made For Ads...
in Creative Writing from Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
in 1988. He has taught at a number of universities in the USA and the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
, and currently works at the American University in Cairo
American University in Cairo
The American University in Cairo is an independent, non-profit, apolitical, secular institution of higher learning located in Cairo, Egypt...
.
Verlenden and his AUC colleague Ferial Ghazoul have translated two works of Egyptian literature:
- Quartet of Joy, a book of poetry by Muhammad Afifi MatarMuhammad Afifi MatarMuhammad Afifi Matar was an Egyptian poet. He was born in the village of Ramalat al-Anjab in the Menoufia region of the Nile Delta...
(winner of the Arkansas Arabic Translation AwardArkansas Arabic Translation AwardThe Arkansas Arabic Translation Award is a prize given for a notable English translation of a book-length literary work originally written in the Arabic language. The award is administered by the King Fahd Center for Middle East and Islamic Studies at the University of Arkansas...
) - Rama and the Dragon, a novel by Edwar al-KharratEdwar al-KharratEdwar al-Kharrat is an Egyptian novelist, writer and critic. He was born in Alexandria to a Coptic Christian family. He studied law at Alexandria University and worked briefly in banking and insurance. He was also actively engaged in left-wing politics and spent two years in jail from 1948–50...