Shawqi, Ahmad (1868–1932)

Egyptian poet. His poetry is collected into four volumes and known as the Shawqiyyat. He also wrote some of the earliest drama in literary Arabic. He has been called Amir al-Shu'ara' (‘Prince of Poets’).

Shawqi's early career was spent under the patronage of the khedive (viceroy) 'Abbas II, in the manner of a court poet in the old Arabic tradition. This experience is reflected in the style and themes of his work from this period. He was exiled from Egypt during World War I, and returned as an enthusiastic supporter of Egyptian nationalism.