Basim Musallam (1943 - 2025)

It is with great sadness that we share the news of Life Fellow Dr Basim Musallam's death on 21 August 2025.

Born in Lebanon, Basim was a highly distinguished historian of the Middle East who burst onto the academic scene in 1983 with his book Sex and Society in Islam: Birth Control before the Nineteenth Century. In addition to his many books, he wrote and starred in multiple episodes of a documentary series The Arabs - A Living History 1979 - 1983 which aired on Channel 4 (UK) and PBS (US).

Educated at the American University of Beirut and Harvard University, he joined the University of Cambridge as a lecturer in Islamic Studies in 1985 and later served as Director of the Centre of Middle Eastern Studies. 

He had been a Fellow of the College since 1990 and served the College in many capacities, most notably as Director of Studies in Oriental Studies/Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, as Vice Provost and also briefly as First Bursar. He was an extraordinary mentor to many younger Fellows, to whom he was willing to give endless time. 

*

A memorial event, open to all in the King's community, to celebrate Basim's life and work will take place in Hall on 31 January at 3pm.