Alexander Bevilacqua

Alexander Bevilacqua, an Assistant Professor of History at Williams College, discusses his book detailing the surprising connections between the European Enlightenment and Arabic scholarship. He highlights how a flourishing book market in Cairo helped bridge these cultures. Bevilacqua explores the complexities of translating the Qur'an and the vital roles of Arabic scholars in Europe during the Renaissance. His insights reveal a period where mutual admiration existed between Islamic and Western intellectual traditions, reshaping our understanding of historical scholarly exchanges.