Gibran bin Khalil bin Michael bin Saed Gibran, known simply as Khalil Gibran, was a Lebanese writer, poet, novelist and painter. Born in Damascus, Gibran is considered one of the genius contemporary writers in the United States. After completing his studies in Beirut, Lebanon, Gibran immigrated to the United States with relatives in 1895 and settled in Boston. He later returned to Beirut and studied at Al-Hikmah (Wisdom) School, after which he traveled to Paris to receive the artist prize in photography in 1908. Gibran returned to the states in 1920 and lived in New York, where he contributed to the establishment of the New York Pen League. His paintings were accepted by the Official International Exhibitions in France and he was later elected as a member of the English Association of Photographers. In the Arab world, Gibran’s writings — which became best sellers after Shakespeare and Laozi — earned him the reputation of being a literary and political rebel. Gibran’s writings appeared in magazines including  Al-Mohajir (The Immigrant) and Mir’at Al-Gharb (Mirror of the West), and he also worked with Nasib Arida to publish Al-Fonoun (The Arts) magazine.  Among his notable literary works include Tears and Laughter, Nymphs of the Valley, Spirits Rebellious, Broken Wings and The Storm, all of which were translated from Arabic to English. Among his famous English writings include The Prophet, The Madman, Sand and Foam, Jesus, The Son of Man, and The Garden of the Prophet. All of Gibran’s Arabic Literature can be found in a collection entitled The Complete Works of Gibran Khalil Gibran, collected by Mikha’il Na’ima.