Elias Khoury was an award-winning novelist, author of “Gates of the Sun,” and activist from Lebanon best known as an advocate for the Palestinian cause.
- Died: September 15, 2024 (Who else died on September 15?)
- Details of death: Died in Beirut at the age of 76.
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Elias Khoury’s legacy
Born in Beirut, Lebanon, Elias Khoury earned a degree in history from Lebanese University and doctorate in social history from the Sorbonne. Around the same time, he spent time in Palestinian refugee camps in Jordan and was part of the Lebanese National Movement, experiences that shaped his work to come. His first novel, 1975’s “On the Relations of the Circle,” came and went quietly, but two years later, his second, “Little Mountain,” which confronted the divisions and violence of the Lebanese Civil War, earned him acclaim.
A steady series of books followed, including “The Gates of the City,” “The Kingdom of Strangers,” and the award-winning “Gate of the Sun,” which was honored with the Prize of Palestine. His published works often explored the complex world of Middle Eastern politics and conflicts, with a particular focus on the life of ordinary people. He won an Al Owais Award in 2007, and in 2016 was given the Mahmoud Darwish Award for Creativity.
When not writing, Khoury taught and lectured at schools of higher learning across the world, including New York University, The University of Chicago, Columbia University, Georgetown University, Princeton University, the American University of Beirut, and many others. In the late 70s, he was one of two managing editors of Palestinian Affairs magazine, and for over 15 years, he edited the weekly culture supplement Al-Mulhaq.
Notable quote
“The most important thing is to be loyal to your convictions.” — 2015 interview with Marina Warner at the Shubbak Festival in London
Tributes to Elias Khoury
Full obituary: The Washington Post
