A.J. Arberry: A Portsmouth Scholar of Global Influence

Arthur John Arberry (1905–1969) stands as one of the most distinguished British scholars of Arabic and Persian studies. He attended The Portsmouth Grammar School from 1917 to 1924, where his exceptional talent for languages and academic promise first became clear. During his time at the school, he was not only a gifted student but also an active member of the community, playing football with enthusiasm and participating in the debating society, where his love of language and argument began to take shape. 

Arberry won a scholarship to study at Cambridge, specialising in Oriental languages at a time when knowledge of the Middle East in Britain was limited. His academic career led him to become head of the Department of Classics at Cairo University in Egypt, holding the Chair of Persian at the School of Oriental and African Studies SOAS, University of London. He subsequently became the Sir Thomas Adams's Professor of Arabic at Cambridge University and a Fellow of Pembroke College, Cambridge, his alma mater, from 1947 until his death in 1969. Known for his intellectual precision and enthusiasm as a teacher, he inspired many students to explore languages, literature, and cultures beyond their own experience. 

His most enduring contribution lies in his translations, through which he built bridges between cultures. His 1955 work, The Koran Interpreted, remains one of the most respected English translations of the Qur’an, notable for preserving the rhythm and literary beauty of the original Arabic. He also translated the works of major Persian poets such as Rumi and Hafez, introducing English-speaking audiences to the richness of Islamic literary and spiritual traditions. 

Arberry maintained a connection to The Portsmouth Grammar School. In memory of his parents, he founded the William and Sarah Arberry Memorial Prize for Classics, awarded at the school between 1952 and 1970, reflecting his gratitude and belief in the value of classical learning.