Charles Melville is Emeritus Professor of Persian History, University of Cambridge. His research interests cover the history of Iran from the Mongols to the Safavids (13th-17th century), Persian historiography and epic literature, and Persian manuscript culture, especially illustrated texts. Recent edited and co-edited volumes include Safavid Persia in the Age of Empires (I.B. Tauris, 2021); Shahnama Studies III (Brill, 2018); and The Mongols’ Middle East. Continuity and transformation in Ilkhanid Iran (Brill, 2016).

This multi-authored volume presents an unparalleled account of the advance of Middle Eastern studies in twentieth-century Britain by way of a history of the Gibb Memorial Trust. The committee’s trustees have been scholars of Arabic, Persian or Turkish of the first rank and their careers and contributions to the publication programme of the Trust are sketched by current scholars who are of a similar eminence. Taken as a whole the story of the Gibb Memorial Trust is one of stupendous erudition, energy, scholarly rancour and eccentricity.

• Note on Transliteration and Abbreviations Used Introduction Charles Melville 1. E. J. W. Gibb Christine Woodhead 2. E. G. Browne Rob Gleave 3. G. Le Strange Hugh Kennedy 4. H. F. Amedroz Andrew Marsham 5. A. G. EllisCharles Melville 6. R. A. Nicholson Alan Williams 7. Sir E. Denison Ross Andrew Peacock 8. Sir James Lyall James Montgomery 9. C. A. Storey Charles Melville10. H. A. R. Gibb Hugh Kennedy 11. Reuben Levy Charles Melville12. A. J. Arberry Charles Melville13. A. F. L. BeestonCarole Hillenbrand14. Bernard LewisCarole Hillenbrand15. A. K. S. Lambton Carole Hillenbrand16. Geoffrey L. LewisChristine Woodhead17. J. D. Pearson Charles Melville18. M. C. LyonsCarole Hillenbrand19. R. B. SerjeantAndrew Marsham20. R. C. Zaehner Alan Williams21. J. A. BoyleCharles Melville22. J. Derek LathamCarole Hillenbrand23. A. H. MortonCharles Melville24. G. Rex Smith Interview by Robert GleaveAppendix A: List of Trustees Appendix B: List of Gibb Memorial Series Publications Index

Charles Melville is Emeritus Professor of Persian History, University of Cambridge. His research interests cover the history of Iran from the Mongols to the Safavids (13th-17th century), Persian historiography and epic literature, and Persian manuscript culture, especially illustrated texts. Recent edited and co-edited volumes include Safavid Persia in the Age of Empires (I.B. Tauris, 2021); Shahnama Studies III (Brill, 2018); and The Mongols’ Middle East. Continuity and transformation in Ilkhanid Iran (Brill, 2016).

This multi-authored volume presents an unparalleled account of the advance of Middle Eastern studies in twentieth-century Britain by way of a history of the Gibb Memorial Trust. The committee’s trustees have been scholars of Arabic, Persian or Turkish of the first rank and their careers and contributions to the publication programme of the Trust are sketched by current scholars who are of a similar eminence. Taken as a whole the story of the Gibb Memorial Trust is one of stupendous erudition, energy, scholarly rancour and eccentricity.

• Note on Transliteration and Abbreviations Used Introduction Charles Melville 1. E. J. W. Gibb Christine Woodhead 2. E. G. Browne Rob Gleave 3. G. Le Strange Hugh Kennedy 4. H. F. Amedroz Andrew Marsham 5. A. G. EllisCharles Melville 6. R. A. Nicholson Alan Williams 7. Sir E. Denison Ross Andrew Peacock 8. Sir James Lyall James Montgomery 9. C. A. Storey Charles Melville10. H. A. R. Gibb Hugh Kennedy 11. Reuben Levy Charles Melville12. A. J. Arberry Charles Melville13. A. F. L. BeestonCarole Hillenbrand14. Bernard LewisCarole Hillenbrand15. A. K. S. Lambton Carole Hillenbrand16. Geoffrey L. LewisChristine Woodhead17. J. D. Pearson Charles Melville18. M. C. LyonsCarole Hillenbrand19. R. B. SerjeantAndrew Marsham20. R. C. Zaehner Alan Williams21. J. A. BoyleCharles Melville22. J. Derek LathamCarole Hillenbrand23. A. H. MortonCharles Melville24. G. Rex Smith Interview by Robert GleaveAppendix A: List of Trustees Appendix B: List of Gibb Memorial Series Publications Index