Alexander Ross (c.1590–1654) — Scottish writer and translator
Scottish cleric and prolific 17th-century author best known for the first complete English translation of the Qur'an (1649); vicar of St. Mary's, Carisbrooke, and a producer of sermons, tracts and translations.
Overview
Alexander Ross (c.1590–1654) was a Scottish-born clergyman and writer active in England during the first half of the 17th century. He published numerous sermons, devotional tracts, polemical essays and translations. Ross is most widely remembered today for producing the first complete English-language edition of the Qur'an in 1649.
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Life and clerical career
Details of Ross's early life are sparse; he is generally described as Scottish in origin and trained within the Protestant church tradition. From 1634 until his death in 1654 he served as vicar of St. Mary's Church, Carisbrooke, on the Isle of Wight. His long incumbency there placed him among the provincial clergy who combined pastoral duties with steady literary output.
Major works and translation
Ross's best-known publication is his 1649 volume usually titled The Alcoran of Mahomet, which constituted the first complete rendering of the Qur'an into English. Ross did not translate directly from Arabic; his English text was made from an existing French edition by André du Ryer, and it included a substantial preface and commentaries that reflected contemporary Protestant views on Islam. Beyond this, Ross authored many sermons and devotional pieces that circulated in print during his lifetime.
Reception and significance
At the time, Ross's English Qur'an filled a gap for readers who lacked access to Arabic originals or to Latin and French editions. His translation and prefatory remarks shaped English perceptions of Islam in the 17th century, although later scholars have noted inaccuracies and polemical tone resulting from translation via a secondary language and from limited knowledge of Arabic sources.
Legacy and distinctions
Historians view Ross as an industrious parish clergyman and a translator whose work has value primarily for the history of reception rather than for textual fidelity. His edition remains a landmark as the first complete English Qur'an, and it is often cited in studies of early modern encounters with Islamic texts and cultures.
Further reading
Questions and answers
Q: Who was Alexander Ross?
A: Alexander Ross was a Scottish writer.
Q: What did Alexander Ross write?
A: Alexander Ross wrote many books.
Q: What was one of Alexander Ross's most important works?
A: One of Alexander Ross's most important works was a complete translation of the Qur'an into English.
Q: What position did Alexander Ross hold in St. Mary's Church?
A: Alexander Ross held the position of vicar of St. Mary's Church, Carisbrooke in the Isle of Wight.
Q: When was Alexander Ross born?
A: Alexander Ross was born around 1590.
Q: When did Alexander Ross die?
A: Alexander Ross died in 1654.
Q: For how long did Alexander Ross serve as vicar of St. Mary's Church?
A: Alexander Ross served as vicar of St. Mary's Church, Carisbrooke in the Isle of Wight from 1634 until his death in 1654.
Related articles
Author
AlegsaOnline.com Alexander Ross (c.1590–1654) — Scottish writer and translator Leandro Alegsa
URL: https://en.alegsaonline.com/art/2385
Sources
- guardian.co.uk : "From scholarship, sailors and sects to the mills and the mosques"