Treasures of the Rare Books Room - The Rubaiyat
Rubaiyat by Omar Khayyam
The Rubaiyat is a poem attributed to Omar Khayyam, a Persian poet, astronomer and mathematician. Khayyam lived from 1048 to 1130 so his work would have been lost if it weren’t for the famous translations of the early 19th century by Edward Fitzgerald. The title Rubaiyat means quatrain, and the poem consists of quatrains translated with a dose of poetic license. Critics often disagree on the intent and meaning of the poem. Some scholars consider it a Sufi text, while others interpret it as Muslim, materialist, and even atheist. Some of the most famous limited editions of Fitzgerald’s translations include beautiful color illustrations by gifted artists such as William Pogany, Elihu Vedder, and Edmund Dulac. To view these rare editions, call (414) 286-3071 to request an appointment in the Art, Music and Recreation department at Central Library.
