Abdel Rahman, Aisha (1913–1998)

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Abdel Rahman, Aisha (1913–1998)

Egyptian literary critic and educator. Name variations: Aisha Abdel-Rahman, Aisha 'Abd al-Rahman; (pseudonyms) Bint El Shatei, Bint el-Shati or Bint-al-Shah. Born Aisha 'Abd al-Rahman, Nov 6, 1913, in Damietta (Dumyat), Egypt; died Jan 12, 1998; father taught at Dumyat Religious Institute; Cairo University, BA, 1939, MA, 1941, PhD, 1944; m. Amin El-Kholy (professor), 1944 (died 1969).

Became an assistant lecturer in literature at Cairo University (1939); began serving as Inspector of Arabic Language and Literature for Ministry of Education (1942); taught at Ain Shams University (1950–62), becoming assistant professor (1957); was a professor of Arabic literature at University College for Women; best known for her literary criticism, which reflects a strong interest in women of Islam, including New Values in Arabic Literature (1961), Contemporary Arab Women Poets (1963), and The Mother of the Prophet (1966); also wrote 3 books on the wives of Muhammad.