Omar Khayyám

1048–1131 · Persian (Nishapur, modern-day Iran) · Medieval Persia, Seljuk Period

Known for: Mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher-poet whose Rubáiyát became world-famous

Omar Khayyám was primarily a scientist—he reformed the Persian calendar (more accurate than the Gregorian), solved cubic equations, and advanced algebra. His poetry, a collection of quatrains (rubáiyát) expressing sophisticated hedonism, may have been partly attributed to him posthumously. Edward FitzGerald's 1859 English translation made him one of the most quoted poets in the world.

His verses express a carpe diem philosophy: enjoy wine, love, and beauty because death is certain and the afterlife uncertain. He was skeptical of religious dogma and conventional piety. According to tradition, he was a friend of both Nizam al-Mulk (the powerful vizier) and Hassan-i Sabbah (leader of the Assassins).

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