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Rodinson Maxime

Jan 26, 1915

Rating : AA (Data from a birth certificate)

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Remembering Since 2004

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Death:Death, Cause unspecified 23 May 2004 (Age 89) chart Placidus Equal_H.

Ai Generated Biography Biography

French Marxist historian, sociologist and orientalist. He was the son of a Russian-Polish clothing trader and his wife who both died in the Auschwitz concentration camp. After studying oriental languages, he became a professor of Ethiopian (Geez) at EPHE (École Pratique des Hautes Études, France). He was the author of a body of work, including the book Muhammad, a biography of the prophet of Islam. Rodinson joined the French Communist Party in 1937 for "moral reasons", but later turned away after the partys Stalinist drift. He was expelled from the party in 1958. He became well known in France when he expressed sharp criticism of Israel, particularly opposing the settlement policies of the Jewish state. Some credit him with coining the term "Islamic fascism" (le fascisme islamique) in 1979, which he used to describe the Iranian revolution. He died on 23 May 2004 in Marseille. Link to Wikipedia biography Read less

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Update at: Jul 9, 2025
`` Maxime Rodinson (1915-2004)

Maxime Rodinson (1915-2004)

Maxime Rodinson (January 26, 1915 – May 23, 2004) was a prominent French Marxist scholar, historian, sociologist, and linguist. He is best known for his influential and nuanced work on Islam, the Arab world, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Born in Paris to Russian Jewish immigrant parents, Rodinson's early life was marked by political activism and scholarly pursuits. He joined the French Communist Party in 1937 but later left in 1956 following the Soviet invasion of Hungary.

Academic Career and Contributions

Rodinson's academic career focused primarily on Semitic languages and Islamic studies. He held positions at the École Pratique des Hautes Études and the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) in France. His research covered a wide range of topics including the history of Islam, the socio-economic structures of Arab societies, and the political dynamics of the Middle East.

Among his most important works are Islam and Capitalism (1966), a seminal study exploring the relationship between Islamic doctrine and economic practices, and Mohammed (1961), a biographical and historical analysis of the Prophet Muhammad's life and the emergence of Islam. These books challenged conventional Western interpretations of Islam and offered a more nuanced and historically grounded perspective. He also authored Israel: A Colonial-Settler State? (1973), a controversial but influential work analyzing the historical context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, drawing on Marxist and anti-colonial frameworks.

Political Views and Activism

Throughout his life, Rodinson remained a committed socialist and advocate for social justice. His political views, shaped by Marxism and his experiences during World War II (during which he was part of the French Resistance), greatly influenced his scholarly work. He was a strong critic of colonialism, imperialism, and oppression, and applied these critiques to his analysis of the Middle East and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. His work often sparked debate and controversy due to his critical stance on Zionism and his support for Palestinian self-determination. However, he also consistently criticized Arab regimes for their authoritarianism and human rights violations.

Legacy and Influence

Maxime Rodinson's scholarship has had a lasting impact on the study of Islam and the Middle East. His work challenged orientalist biases and offered a more nuanced understanding of the complexities of the region. His interdisciplinary approach, combining historical analysis, sociological insights, and linguistic expertise, continues to inspire scholars today. Although information about his social media presence is unavailable given his time period, his published works continue to be widely read and debated.

While precise details regarding recent projects are not readily available considering his passing in 2004, his publications remain relevant and influential in contemporary discussions about Islam, the Arab world, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. His intellectual legacy as a critical and engaged scholar continues to shape the field.

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