Leone Caetani

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Leone Caetani (1869-1935) was born into a prominent Italian family, the child of the Prince of Teano, and the Duke of Sermoneta?

He was not self taught in Oriental languages, he studied at the University of Rome, under prof. Ignazio Guidi and Giacomo Lignana, with an intensive study of Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, Sanskrit and Assyrian languages (and perhaps also Turkish). Although according to Robert Irwin in Dangerous Knowledge, he was in fact self taught.

He made extensive research on the origins of the Qur'an and Islamic ideology. Between 1904-1926, Caetani published his monumental work Annali dell'Islam.

He also made an extensive analysis of Islam and the Qur'an. He concluded after extensive research that one could dismiss the authenticity of most of the traditions which record the early life of Muhammad. Leone Caetani also served as a deputy of the Italian Parliament (1909-1913).

Some of Leone Caetani's studies are included in The Origins of The Koran: Classic Essays on Islam’s Holy Book edited by Ibn Warraq.