Aisha Taymur

Aisha Taymur
(b. 1840 – d. May 2, 1902)

Aisha E'ismat Taymur was one of Egypt's most distinguished social activists, and also a poet/novelist.

Born into to a literary family, Aisha was sister to researcher/novelist Ahmad Pasha Taymur and aunt to playwright Mohammad Taymur and novelist Mahmoud Taymur.

Her father, of Kurdish origin, was member of the royal entourage and was keen on providing her with adequate education. She was well-versed in the sciences of the Holy Quran and Islamic Jurisprudence. She wrote poetry in Arabic, Turkish and Persian.

She put herself in charge of her brother Ahmad's education after their father died.

Aisha was married at age 14 and left with her to Istanbul. After he died, she returned to Egypt. Her daughter's death left her so distraught that it reflected in her poetry. Her poems mourning her daughter are the best there is in that genre in modern times.