Elie Kedourie

Elie Kedourie was a British historian of Middle Eastern descent, born in 1926 and active until his death in 1992. His academic career spanned several decades, during which he developed a distinct perspective on the region's history that often diverged from prevailing orthodoxies. As a scholar, Kedourie approached his subject with a critical eye, challenging established narratives and offering alternative interpretations of the complex historical dynamics at play in the Middle East.

Kedourie's professional life was closely tied to the London School of Economics, where he taught from 1953 to 1990 and rose to the position of Professor of Politics. Throughout his career, he was known for his iconoclastic views, particularly his critique of what he termed the "Chatham House version" of Middle Eastern history. This perspective, which emphasized the role of Western powers in shaping the region's trajectory, was rejected by Kedourie in favor of a more nuanced understanding that highlighted the agency and complexities of Middle Eastern societies themselves. His work also targeted the perceived romanticization of Islam by left-wing Western intellectuals, whom he accused of naivety and a lack of critical perspective.