This vintage book contains a collection of writings by the seminal orientalist, Edward William Lane - including his influential work "The Arabic Lexicon". Obsessed with Egypt, Lane visited the country for the first time in 1825, embarking on a study of Egyptian life that would become his "Description of Egypt". It was only published nearly a century after his death. He collected material for his "Lexicon" in Egypt between 1842 and 1849 and, after returning to England, became somewhat of a recluse whilst he was refining it. After his death, the publication of the remainder of his work was overseen by his great-nephew, Stanley Lane Poole. This volume constitutes the result of Stanley's endeavours; the contents of which are based on familial anecdotes, manuscripts of description of Egypt, and Lane's notebook chronicling his second stay in Egypt. This edition also contains a biography written by Stanley Lane Poole. Edward William Lane (1801 - 1876) was a British translator, lexicographer, and orientalist. He is most famous his translation of "One Thousand and One Nights". We are republishing this book now in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition - complete with a specially commissioned new biography of the author.