William Muir

Novelist

Birthday April 27, 1819

Birth Sign Taurus

Birthplace Scotland

DEATH DATE Jul 11, 1905 (86)

#163815 Most Popular

About

Remembered for his scholarship in the fields of Islamic and Near and Far-Eastern studies, Muir is also known for serving as an imperial administrator and governor in Bengal and British India. His best-known publications include The Koran: Its Composition and Teaching; Annals of the Early Caliphate; and A Life of Mahomet.

Before Fame

After studying at the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, he became a civil servant in Bengal.

Trivia

One of his early works, Life of Mahomet, was controversial for its criticism of Islam.

Family Life

He grew up in Glasgow, Scotland, with a brother named John. His marriage to Elizabeth Huntly Wemyss resulted in eleven children, including a son, Colonel A. M. Muir, who was also involved in Far Eastern politics.

Associated With

American author Daniel Pipes traced the use of the controversial phrase "Satanic Verses" to one of Muir's scholarly works.