Claude-Etienne Savary

Claude-Étienne Savary (1750, Vitré – 1788) was an orientalist, pioneer of Egyptology, and traveller, known for his translation of the Quran and his posthumously published Arabic grammar. His Lettres sur l’Égypte (Letters on Egypt), published in Paris in 1785-1786, provide, in a polished literary style, a broad overview of the country, treating its rich history, (historical) inhabitants, agriculture, trade, politics, religion, etc. The first two volumes detail his travels, while the third is pure didactic and treats Egyptian mythology, etc. The Dutch translation Brieven over Egypte was published in Amsterdam in1788 and 1789 in three volumes. Having left for Egypt in 1776 Savary stayed at Alexandria, Rosette and Cairo and visited a number of Greek isles. Savary’ letters are one of the first literary accounts of journeys in Egypt. Other publications by his hand: Le Coran, traduit de l’arabe (Paris/Amsterdam/Leyde, 1782-1783), Morale de Mahomet (Paris, 1784), Lettres sur la Grèce, faisant suite de celles de l'Égypte (Paris,1788) (particularly describing the isles of Rhodes and Crete), Grammaire de la langue arabe vulgaire et littérale (Paris, 1813, a posthumous work).