Assaad Yaqub Kayat (1811-1865)

Assaad Yaqub Kayat was a Syrian Christian who worked as a translator and interpreter. Living in London, he promoted interest in Syria through lecturing and sought assistance from a variety of Christian organisations. The interest he generated helped support 'The Syrian Medical Aid Association' which provided medical aid to Syria. In 1843 at the age of 32 Kayat became a student at St George's Medical School, London. He was also an author and a council member of 'The Syrian Society of Arts and Sciences' which was founded in 1847 to increase Syrians' knowledge of their own history and culture and was the Arab world's first literary society. In the same year his autobiographical book 'A Voice from Lebanon, with the Life and Travels of Assaad Y. Kayat' was published by Madden & Co, London. 

"It is a work of love, a glorious object" 

In his letter sent to an unnamed recipient (probably Sampson Low) on 11 April 1847, Kayat discusses an organisation of which he is part that is going to send six young educated Syrians back to Syria to support their society there. He calls the society 'The Church of England Society to promote Christians'. 

View Assaad Yaqub Kayat's letter [opens in a new window]

Image Rights: Taken from St George's Library blog University of London. Source is ‘A Voice from Lebanon with the Life and Travels of Assaad Y. Kayat’ (1847).