Ibn Khaldūn

Full Name: Abd al-Rahman b. Muhammad Ibn Jaldún
Profession: Islamic Scholar, Philosopher, Historian and Sociologist

Nationality:

Biography: A North African Muslim historiographer and historian, Khaldūn is regarded as a founding father of modern sociology, historiography, demography and economics.

Best known for his book, the "Muqaddimah" (literally the "Introduction", or the "Prolegomena" in Greek) published in 1377. Most notably the "Muqaddimah" laid out Khaldūn's theories on the rise and fall of empires and his criticism of the seven mistakes regularly committed by his fellow historians (see quote below).

The "Muqaddimah" influenced 17th-century Ottoman historians like Ḥajjī Khalīfa and Mustafa Naima who used Khaldūn's theories to analyze the growth and decline of the Ottoman Empire.

Nineteenth century European scholars also acknowledged the significance of the "Muqaddimah" and considered Khaldūn as one of the greatest philosophers of the Middle Ages.

Born: May 27, 1332
Birthplace: Tunis, Hafsid Sultanate of Tunis
Star Sign: Gemini

Died: March 17, 1406 (aged 73)