Looking for a new place to study? Last night marked the opening of the new Edward W. Said Reading Room, room 616 in Butler Library. Dedicated in memory of Edward W. Said, an internationally renowned author, educator, public intellectual, and a member of Columbia’s faculty from 1963-2003, the room reflects Said’s eclectic interests with nearly 3,000 volumes spanning topics such as classic literature, music, and fine arts to politics, religion, and history.

Said’s family, friends, and colleagues were on hand to celebrate the opening and share memories of Said. Professors Akeel Bilgrami, Jonathan R. Cole, and Rashid Khalidi spoke about the influence and impact Said had on them personally, and also on the intellectual community worldwide. Said’s wife, Mariam C. Said, thanked Columbia University for its dedication in keeping her husband’s legacy alive.

In conjunction with the room opening, tonight features the Sixth Annual Edward W. Said Memorial Lecture, a series started in Said’s memory and maintained by universities around the world. Author and political commentator Ahdaf Soueif will speak on “Notes from an Egyptian Revolution.” For more information on the event, please visit The Heyman Center for the Humanities.