Omar Khayyam’s full name was Ghiyath al-Din Abul Fateh Omar Ibn Ibrahim Khayyam, and it is believed that Omar was born into a family of artisans. The word ‘khayyam’ has been translated to mean ‘tent maker’, which may be an indication of his father’s occupation.
Omar Khayyam was a Persian polymath, known for his contributions to mathematics, astronomy, philosophy, and poetry. He was born on 18 May 1048, in Nishapur, a city in what is today northwestern Iran. His father was Ebrahim Khayyami, a wealthy physician, and his mother’s name remains unknown.
Nishapur, during Khayyam’s time, was a bustling centre of learning and culture, fostering intellectual curiosity and exchange. It was located along the Silk Road, the pivotal trade route connecting the East and the West, which facilitated the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and goods between various civilizations.
Khayyam’s early life was marked by an interest in intellectual pursuits, particularly in mathematics and astronomy. He received a comprehensive education, studying under the prominent scholars of his time.
Despite his significant contributions to mathematics and astronomy, Omar Khayyam is perhaps most celebrated for his poetic works. His masterpiece, the Rubaiyat, is a collection of quatrains (four-line poems) that explore themes of love, mortality, fate, and the nature of existence. Khayyam’s poetic genius lies in his ability to convey profound philosophical insights with lyrical beauty and simplicity.
It wasn’t until the 19th century that Khayyam’s work gained widespread recognition outside of the Persian-speaking world. In 1859, English poet Edward FitzGerald published his translation of a selection of Khayyam’s quatrains under the title The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. FitzGerald’s translation, while not a literal rendering of Khayyam’s original verses, captured the essence and spirit of the poems in English. He imbued the quatrains with a romantic, melancholic tone that resonated with Victorian readers.
The Rubaiyat quickly became a sensation, captivating audiences with its blend of Eastern wisdom and Western sensibilities.
Omar Khayyam died on 4 December 1131, aged 83.
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