Nadra Haddad (Arabic: ندرة حداد; 30 October 1881– 27 May 1950) was a Syrian poet, and a founding member of The Pen League, the first Arabic-language literary society in North America.[1][2]
Nadra Haddad | |
|---|---|
| Native name | ندرة حداد |
| Born | October 30, 1881 Homs, Ottoman Syria |
| Died | May 27, 1950(1950-05-27) (aged 68) New York City, United States |
| Occupation | Writer, journalist |
| Relatives | Abd al-Masih Haddad (brother) Jerrier A. Haddad (nephew) |
Nadra was born on 30 October 1881 in Homs in Ottoman Syria to Rashid Haddad, a Syrian intellectual. He received his primary education at the city’s Greek Orthodox community school, and worked as a bookkeeper, before emigrating on 26 December 1897 to the United States while 17.[3]
Haddad settled in New York City, and worked in commerce, all the while writing poetry. He worked as chief editor of the Arabic language publication As-Sayeh (Arabic: السايح, "The Tourist"), that his brother Abdelmasih started. He later worked in banking.[4][5]
Haddad is a founding member of The Pen League, the first Arabic-language literary society in North America.[6] The league was formed initially by Nasib Arida and by Nadra’s brother Abd al-Masih in 1916, and subsequently re-formed in 1920 by a larger group of Mahjari writers in New York led by Gibran Khalil Gibran.[7][8][9]
Haddad’s best known work is Diwan Awraq Al-Khareef (The book of Autumn Leaves).[10]
Haddad died of a heart attack on 27 May 1950 during a wedding ceremony, after he had recited a poem congratulating the newlyweds.[11]
Nadra married Hadba Haddad and fathered three children, Robert, William, and Josette.[4]