Bayram al-Tunisi

1893 - 1961

Egyptian poet.

Born into a small merchant family in a popular quarter of Alexandria, Bayram al-Tunisi studied at religious schools but learned the form of poetry called zajal by memorizing oral poetry. In 1919, he began to publish poetry critical of Egypt's monarchy and of the British occupation, in the journal Issues, leading to a long period of exile in France and Tunisia. After his return to Egypt in 1938, alTunisi published poetry in various Egyptian newspapers.

— DAVID WALDNER