# Omar Khayyam

## Biography

Omar Khayyam, born in Nishapur, Persia in 1048, was a remarkable polymath who excelled as a mathematician, astronomer, and poet. His full name was Ghiyath al-Din Abu'l-Fath Umar ibn Ibrahim al-Nisaburi al-Khayyami, with "Khayyam" possibly stemming from his father's profession as a tentmaker. He received an extensive education, immersing himself in science and philosophy.

Khayyam made significant contributions to mathematics, notably in algebra, where he provided methods for solving cubic equations through intersecting conic sections. In astronomy, he was instrumental in reforming the Persian calendar, creating the highly accurate Jalali calendar. Despite his profound scientific achievements, Khayyam is primarily celebrated in the Western world for his poetry, particularly "The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám," a collection of his quatrains translated by Edward FitzGerald. His verses often explore themes of life's transience, skepticism, and the appreciation of earthly pleasures, reflecting a rationalist worldview that continues to resonate with readers today. He passed away in 1131.

## Books

- [The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam](https://samolit.com/books/96696)