Edward Said (1935-2003) was one of the founding voices of postcolonial critical theory and the author of Orientalism, one of the most impassioned and influential works in its field. One of the most high profile advocates for Palestinian rights, he was also University Professor English and Comparative Literature at Columbia University, USA. Edward Said was University Professor of English and Comparative Literature at Columbia University. He was the author of more than twenty books, including Orientalism, Culture and Imperialism and On Late Style and his essays and reviews appeared in newspapers and periodicals throughout the world. Edward Said died in September 2003.