Edward Henry Palmer
(7 August 1840–August 1882)
Edward Henry Palmer (7 August 1840–August 1882) was an English orientalist. Palmer became professor of Arabic at Cambridge and “…had a rare gift of language, and understood the art of reproducing Arabian effects in English as no other Englishman does…” (Lane-Poole 118). As a young man pursuing his early education, he was singled out for his supreme language ability in Arabic, Persian and Urdu (Arberry, British Orientalists 22). Palmer was also proficient in many other Middle Eastern languages. Professor Arberry notes that Edward Palmer “…collected languages as other boys collect postage-stamps” (Arberry, British Orientalists 22). In addition to his linguistic ability, Palmer is set apart from the previous translators due to his extensive and extended Near East travels. He died while on an expedition in Egypt “…when engaged on a delicate mission, he was set upon by marauding Bedouins and murdered in the Egyptian desert” (Arberry, British Orientalists 22).
The English translation by Edward Palmer was the fourth English translation. The first English translation was by Alexander Ross in 1649; however this work was a translation of the French Quran which was a direct translation from the Arabic. The second English translation and the first to be directly translated from Arabic was the George Sale translation of 1734. This translation remained the standard work for decades. The translation method adopted and declared by Sale is “…a little too literally [sic] to be elegant English…” (Sale vii). The third English Quran is that of John M. Rodewell in 1861. The Qur’an of John Rodwell is renowned for being the first English translation to chronologically arrange the chapters or surahs. The fourth English translation is the 1880 two volume set by Edward Palmer.
The Edward Palmer Qur’an is unique because it was not published as a stand-alone book. It was only available as a part of the mammoth fifty volume set titled the Sacred Books of the East. Edward Palmer was asked by German philologist Max Müller, the editor of Sacred Books of the East, to produce a new translation of the Qur’an to be included in this new set of books.
This period is remarkable for its hallmark versions and translations most of which represent firsts in their field. The Qur’an of Alexander Ross is the first version in English. The Qur’an of George Sales represents the first direct translation from Arabic into English. The John Rodwell Qur’an is the first English translation that arranges the surahs into chronological order. The Edward Palmer translation has been lauded as a very accurate translation. Attesting to their staying power as translations, three of the four translations of this period remain in print. The only exception is the Alexander Ross translation.
Arberry, A.J. British Orientalists. London: William Collins, 1943.
Lane-Poole, Stanley. Studies in a Mosque. London: 1883.
Sale, George. , trans. The Koran Commonly called The Alcoran of Mohammed. London: 1734.
The English translation by Edward Palmer was the fourth English translation. The first English translation was by Alexander Ross in 1649; however this work was a translation of the French Quran which was a direct translation from the Arabic. The second English translation and the first to be directly translated from Arabic was the George Sale translation of 1734. This translation remained the standard work for decades. The translation method adopted and declared by Sale is “…a little too literally [sic] to be elegant English…” (Sale vii). The third English Quran is that of John M. Rodewell in 1861. The Qur’an of John Rodwell is renowned for being the first English translation to chronologically arrange the chapters or surahs. The fourth English translation is the 1880 two volume set by Edward Palmer.
The Edward Palmer Qur’an is unique because it was not published as a stand-alone book. It was only available as a part of the mammoth fifty volume set titled the Sacred Books of the East. Edward Palmer was asked by German philologist Max Müller, the editor of Sacred Books of the East, to produce a new translation of the Qur’an to be included in this new set of books.
This period is remarkable for its hallmark versions and translations most of which represent firsts in their field. The Qur’an of Alexander Ross is the first version in English. The Qur’an of George Sales represents the first direct translation from Arabic into English. The John Rodwell Qur’an is the first English translation that arranges the surahs into chronological order. The Edward Palmer translation has been lauded as a very accurate translation. Attesting to their staying power as translations, three of the four translations of this period remain in print. The only exception is the Alexander Ross translation.
Arberry, A.J. British Orientalists. London: William Collins, 1943.
Lane-Poole, Stanley. Studies in a Mosque. London: 1883.
Sale, George. , trans. The Koran Commonly called The Alcoran of Mohammed. London: 1734.
