Ibn Abi ̄Tạh̄ir Tạyfur̄ and Arabic writerly culture : a ninth-century bookman in Baghdad / Shawkat M. Toorawa.

"First published in 2005. Transferred to Digital Printing 2010."--T.p. verso of paperback edition.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 130-207) and index.

Introduction 1. From Memory to Written Record -- 2. Being a Bookman in Baghdad -- 3. Navigating Partisan Shoals in Writerly Baghdad 4. Writerly Networks of Baghdad -- 5. Ibn Abi Tahir's Output and Writerly Culture -- 6. Ibn Abi Tahir's Poetry and Writerly Culture Conclusion: Revisiting Arabic Literary History

Toorawa re-evaluates the literary history and landscape of third to ninth century Baghdad by demonstrating and emphasizing the significance of the important transition from a predominantly oral-aural culture to an increasingly literate one. This transformation had a profound influence on the production of learned and literary culture; modes of transmission of learning; nature and types of literary production; nature of scholarly and professional occupations and alliances; and ranges of meanings of certain key concepts, such as plagiarism. In order to better understand these, attention is focused on a central but understudied figure, Ibn Abi Tahir Tayfur (d. 280 to 893), a writer, schoolmaster, scholar and copyist, member of important literary circles, and a significant anthologist and chronicler. This book will appeal to anyone interested in Arabic literary culture and history, and those with an interest in books, writing, authorship and patronage.