Ermya Timothaus Makdisi was a Chaldean bishop, researcher, translator and author from the town of Al-Koush in Mosul, Iraq. He received his education in Iraq’s Christian schools and went on to pursue his higher education at Mar Youhanna Al-Habib (Saint John) Institute. In addition to teaching philosophy and canonical teachings in Rome, he also served as a bishop for Zakhour and its districts. He printed several grammar and linguistic books in the Chaldean language, including The grammar of the Chaldean Language and The grammar of the Aramic Language , as well as other theology books such as The literary theology .

Augustin Aliazar Al-Maroni Al-Halabi was a priest and writer. His wrote a philosophy book entitled Kholasat Al-Ma’refa fi Akhas Kadaya Al-Falsafa (Knowledge Summary of the most specialized philosophy cases), which was printed in Beirut in 1886, as well as Al-Adilla Al-Nathareya fi Wihdat Al-Nafs Al-Bashareya (Theoretical Evidence to the unity of the Human Soul), which was written with the help of his brother, Pastor Bulous. He also has a collection of poems entitled Lam Yabka Minho Ella Al-Kalil (Not much left of it).

Anisa bint Saed bin Abdullah Al-Khoury Al-Shartoni was a writer from Beirut, Lebanon. She studied at the Nazareth Sisters School, the Visit Sisters School in Aintora and at the Al-Taqadom School in Beirut. Her writings were published in several magazines, including Al-Rawda , Al-Morakeb and Al-Moqtataf . Among her famous writings include Nafhat Al-Wardatayni , which was written with the help of her sister, Afifa Al-Shartoni.

Anisa bint Nicola bin Mousa bin Girges bin Antonios Saiba’a was a doctor, writer and translator from Tripoli, Syria. Known as the first female to obtain a degree in medicine in the Orient, she completed her studies at the London School for Women in London, England as well as in Edinburgh, Scotland. She settled in Egypt, where she produced several works about medicine, including several articles which were published in Al-Moktataf (The Excerpt) magazine. Her works also include a translation of the novel KessatCoreen (Coreen’s Story), which she translated from English into Arabic. She died in Cairo, Egypt in 1944.

Afram Al-Shammas, otherwise known as Afram the Verger, was a theologian and archaeologist. Among his notable works is a book describing Sinai’s stage and buildings. Written copies of his book can be found in Aleppo, the Vatican, Paris and Beirut.

Istifan Al-Shimali was a Maronite writer and priest from the town of Daroun in Kasrawan, Lebanon. Among his notable works are Lamhet Al-Ainwa Lamhet Al-Shimalieen (Glimpse of the Eye and of the Shimalieen) and two volumes about preaching written jointly with his brother, Jermanous (1828-1895), and Yousef Bin Al-Hasan Bin Yacoub.

Boghous Yousifian was an Armenian translator and financial and customs manager in Egypt. He lived during the rule of Mohammed Ali Basha (1805 – 1848 AD) and served as his private secretary and translator. He later went on to become Egypt’s financial manager, as well as its foreign affairs and trade director. He participated in the negotiations with the Europeans in 1839 and is considered one of Egypt’s most influential figures.

Paulina Hassoun was a writer and journalist from Jordan. In 1922, she moved with her family to Baghdad, Iraq, where she published Laila magazine — Iraq’s first magazine for women. Hassoun was considered to be Iraq’s first female journalist. She later went on to serve as the headmaster of a girls schools in Baghdad before moving back to Jordan, where she passed away in 1969.

Bishara Abd Allah al-Khuri al-Bairuti, also known as al-Akhtal as-Saghir, was a journalist, storyteller and one of Lebanon’s most famous poets in modern era. Born in Beirut, Lebanon, he studied at the 3 Moons School, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese School and the Maronite Wisdom School before attending the College des Freres to study French. In 1908, he founded Al-Bark (Thunderbolt) newspaper, a weekly literature newspaper that eventually become a daily paper after World War I. Through Al-Bark, al-Khuri tackled many social and political issues which reflected the prevailing attitudes of rebellion against the Ottoman authorities at the time. In 1912, he went on to found Sada Al-Bark (The Echo of the Thunderbolt) newspaper. During this time, al-Khuri started affixing the words “al-Akhtal as-Saghir” to his signature, which later became his title. In 1925, he was elected as head of the Lebanese Press Syndicate and in 1946 he served as a technical adviser of the Arabic Language at the Ministry of National Education in Beirut. He also served as a corresponding member of the Arab Academy in Damascus in 1932. Among his famous works include three collection of poems entitled Shi’ir al-Akhtal as-Saghir (al-Akhtal as-Saghir’s Poetry), Al-Watar Al-Jareeh (The Injured Tendon) and Al-Hawa wa Al-Shabab (The Passion and the Youth). He also published Min Bakaya Al-Thakira (From the Remnants of Memory), Bayn Al-Shi’ir wa Al-Siyasa (Between Poetry and Politics) and a famous story entitled Al-Riyal Al-Mozayyaf (The Fake Riyal).

Ishaq Al-Nenawi was a Nestorian Bishop and poet. He wrote many works in the Syriac language, three of which were translated into Arabic, including Majmo’at Miamer Fi Al-Sir Al-Nuskeya (The Collection of Miamer in Asceticism), Al-Tib Al-Ruhani (Spiritual Medicine) and Rasa’el Miamer (Miamer’s Letters). After leaving the episcopate, he chose to adopt an ascetic lifestyle and became a monk. He died in the Ruban Shabour Monastery in Iraq.