Secondary sourceBook1882–1883

The Quatrains of Omar Khayyam, translated by E. H. Whinfield

Edward Henry Whinfield · 1882–1883

A Victorian English translation of 500 quatrains attributed to Omar Khayyám, made from several Persian manuscripts.

A literal Victorian translation of quatrains attributed to Khayyám, useful for comparing against freer versions.

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Orange cloth book cover with a circular gold-stamped emblem in a dark red ring. The emblem shows a laurel wreath, a scene of a mountain, water and a sailing or mythical bird, with the text 'TRÜBNER'S ORIENTAL SERIES' and 'FULGUR EXIT AB ORIENTE' around the rim. — E. H. Whinfield (trans.), The Quatrains of Omar Khayyam, 1883 edition, Trübner's Oriental Series.

About this source

What it is

This book, translated by Edward Henry Whinfield and published in 1882–1883, presents 500 quatrains attributed to Omar Khayyám in English, alongside the original Persian. It appeared in Trübner's Oriental Series, a collection aimed at introducing English readers to Asian literature and thought.

Why it matters

Unlike Edward FitzGerald's famous free adaptation, Whinfield aimed for a fuller and more literal rendering, drawing on several manuscripts. Comparing the two translations shows how differently translators can present the same source material, and raises questions about how much of the

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Omar Khayyam on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.