Monir Al-Balbaki

Munir Abd Al-Hafiz Al-Baalbaki (: [muˈniːr ʕab.dul.ħaˈfiːzˤ al.baʕ.la.bak.ki], ; 1918 – June 18, 1999) was a Lebanese writer, translator, and publisher, and one of the most prominent contributors to the translation movement and lexicographical authorship in the Arab world during the 20th century. Al-Baalbaki founded Dar El Ilm Lilmalayin (House of Knowledge for Millions), which became one of the most important publishing houses in the Arab world. He gained wide recognition for authoring the Al-Mawrid English-Arabic dictionary, which became known as the "Sheikh of Dictionaries," and he himself was dubbed the "Sheikh of Arab Translators."

Life Born in Beirut in 1918 to a tailor whose roots traced back to the city of Baalbek, from which his ancestors had migrated to Beirut, acquiring their surname.

He received his primary education in Al-Makassed Association schools, then moved to the International College. He attended the American University of Beirut, graduating in 1938 with a bachelor's degree in Arabic Literature and History. Although his specialization was not in English language and literature, he excelled in both fields, leading the university to appoint him as a professor. He later moved to Baghdad to teach at King Faisal College, followed by the National Scientific College in Damascus, and finally at Al-Makassed Philanthropic Islamic College in Beirut.

He fell into a coma in the autumn of 1997 and remained in this state for more than a year and a half until his death in June 1999.