Butrus al-Bustani

Pioneer of Arabic language revival and modern education in 19th century Lebanon

Butrus al-Bustani (1819-1883) was a visionary Lebanese scholar who modernized Arabic education during Ottoman rule. He established Beirut's Syrian Scientific Society (1847), which became a hub for Arabic linguistic reform. His seminal work Lexicon of the Arabic Language preserved classical vocabulary while introducing technical terms for science and philosophy. Al-Bustani founded schools emphasizing secular education and women's inclusion, defying patriarchal norms. His Journal of the Arab Community (1870) promoted Arab nationalism and cultural pride. Despite Ottoman censorship, he continued publishing until his death. Explore his legacy at Wikipedia and Encyclopedia. His Encyclopedia of the Arabic Language remains a key reference for scholars.