Hanna Al-Fakhoury is an Arab writer, linguist, and Lebanese historian. Father Hanna Al-Fakhoury was born in 1914 in Zahle, where his family had migrated from the village of Majdaloun, near Baalbek, at the beginning of World War I. He received his primary education in Zahle and in Hawsh Hala Briyak. In 1927, he moved to Jerusalem, where he completed his intermediate and secondary education. In 1936, after completing his philosophical studies, he joined the Society of Pauline Missionaries and moved to Harissa. He was assigned to teach at the seminary established by the Pauline Society at the time, and from that time on, he began his cultural activities, pursuing his theological studies while simultaneously teaching and writing school and other literary works.
He wrote more than 100 books on language, etymology, composition, literature, philosophy, and religion. He is best known for his book “The History of Arabic Literature,” the first edition of which appeared in 1951 and became synonymous with his name throughout the Arab world. He translated it into Persian in 1958 and into Russian in 1959. In 1958, he wrote “The History of Arabic Philosophy,” which was also translated into Persian.
He authored numerous textbooks on literature and language, and he also edited and commented on many works of traditional literature.