Omar Khayyam
a Persian poet, astronomer, and mathematician; born in Nishapur in Khorasan. His scientific works, which were of high value in their day, have been eclipsed by his "Rubaiyat," a collection of about 500 epigrams in praise of wine, love, and pleasure. A portion of the "Rubaiyat" was translated or rather adapted into English verse by Edward Fitzgerald (1859-1879), and enjoyed a wide popularity. Other versions were made but Fitzgerald's remains the best. Omar Khayyam died in Mishapur 1123.