Butrus al-Bustani

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Butrus al-Bustani (بطرس البستاني) (1819-1883) was a notable Arab writer and scholar.

He is best known for creating the first modern Arabic encyclopedia, and founding the National School in Beirut. Born a Maronite Christian in Dibbiye, Lebanon, he studied under American missionaries and converted to Protestantism.

He first began teaching at missionary schools, but founded the National School in 1863. As well as the first Arabic encyclopedia Al-Muhit al Muhit he also created a dictionary and founded a number of different periodicals. His prolific output and groundbreaking work led the creation of modern Arabic expository prose. While educated by westerners and a strong advocate of western technology, he was a fierce nationalist, playing a decisive role in formulating the principles of Syrian nationalism.