John Wansbrough

John Wansbrough

John Edward Wansbrough (February 19, 1928 – June 10, 2002) was an American historian who taught at the University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). Wansbrough's emphasis was on the critique of traditional accounts of the origins of Islam. Born in Peoria, Illinois, Wansbrough completed his studies at Harvard University, and spent the rest of his academic career at SOAS.

He caused a furor in the 1970s when his research on early Islamic manuscripts, including the analysis of the repeated use of monotheistic Judeo-Christian imagery found in the Qur'an led him to posit that the rise of Islam was a mutation of what was originally a Judeo-Christian sect trying to spread in Arab lands. As time evolved the Judeo-Christian scriptures were adapted to an Arab perspective and mutated into what became the Qur'an which was developed over centuries with contributions from various Arab tribal sources. Wansbrough's research suggests that a great deal of the traditional history of Islam appeared to be a fabrication of later generations seeking to forge and justify a unique religious identity. Within this context, the character of Muhammad could be seen as a manufactured myth created to provide the Arab tribes with their own Arab version of the Judeo-Christian prophets.

He died at Montaigu-de-Quercy, France.

Books by John Wansbrough

* Quranic Studies 1977

This line of research was investigated in Egypt by Nasr Abu Zayd but he was expelled from Egypt because of his conclusions about the Qur'an. Students and scholars who share Wansbrough's outlook include:
* Michael Cook
* Patricia Crone
* Gerald Hawting

Publications

* Quranic Studies: Sources and Methods of Scriptural Interpretation (Oxford, 1977)
* The Sectarian Milieu: Content and Composition Of Islamic Salvation History (Oxford, 1978)
* Res Ipsa Loquitur: History and Mimesis (1987)
* Lingua Franca in the Mediterranean (Curzon Press 1996)

External links

* [http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/8.30/relrpt/stories/s591483.htm John Wansborough remembered] , "The Religion Report", Radio National (Australia), 26 June 2002.
* http://www.prometheusbooks.com/catalog/book_1538.html
* [http://www.islamic-awareness.org/Quran/Text/burton.html Islamic-Awareness, Burton, Wansbrough & The 'Logic' Of Christian Missionaries]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • John Wansbrough — John Edward Wansbrough (19 février 1928 10 juin 2002) était un historien américain qui a enseigné à l’University of London s School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS)[1]. Il s’est particulièrement attaché à la critique des …   Wikipédia en Français

  • John Wansbrough — John Edward Wansbrough (* 19. Februar 1928 in Peoria (Illinois); † 10. Juni 2002 in Montaigu de Quercy, Frankreich) war ein US amerikanischer Historiker an der London University School of Oriental and African Studies. Er ist ein einflussreicher… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Wansbrough — John Edward Wansbrough (* 19. Februar 1928 in Peoria (Illinois); † 10. Juni 2002 in Montaigu de Quercy, Frankreich) war ein US amerikanischer Historiker an der London University School of Oriental and African Studies. Er ist ein einflussreicher… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Gospel of John — The Gospel of John (literally, According to John ; Greek, Κατὰ Ἰωάννην, Kata Iōannēn ) is the fourth gospel in the canon of the New Testament, traditionally ascribed to John the Evangelist. Like the three synoptic gospels, it contains an account… …   Wikipedia

  • Criticism of the Qur'an — Muslims believe that the Qur an is the literal word of God as recited to Muhammad through the angel Gabriel. Critics argue against this belief, and criticize various statements in the Qur an. [Islam: the Basics. Turner, C. (2006) Routledge, p.… …   Wikipedia

  • Criticism of the Quran — Part of a series on the Quran …   Wikipedia

  • Origin and development of the Qur'an — The study of the origins and development of the Qur’an can be said to fall into two major schools of thought, the first being a traditionalist Muslim view and the later being a non traditionalist view.According to the traditionalist view, the Qur …   Wikipedia

  • Islamic studies by author (non-Muslim or academic) — Included are prominent authors who have made studies concerning Islam, the religion and its civilization, except for those studies of Islam produced by Muslim authors meant primarily for a Muslim audience.[1] Herein most of the authors from the… …   Wikipedia

  • Historicity of Muhammad — A series of articles on Prophet of Islam Muhammad Life In Mecca · Hijra · …   Wikipedia

  • Tafsīr (Koranexegese) — Tafsīr, arabisch ‏ تفسير‎ „Erläuterung, Kommentar“, die Exegese des Korans, gehört zu den wichtigsten islamischen Wissenschaftsdisziplinen. Die klassischen Kommentare zum Korantext folgen überwiegend dem Aufbau des Korans nach Sure/Vers… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”