a physician, was born at Bagdad in the 557th year of the Hegira, A.D. 1161. Having been educated with the greatest care by his father, who was himself a man of learning, and resided in a capital which abounded with the best opportunities of instruction, he early distinguished himself not only by proficiency in rhetoric, history, and poetry, but also in the more severe studies of Mohammedan theology. To the acquirement of medical knowledge he applied with especial diligence; and it was chiefly with this view that, in his 28th year, he left Bagdad, in order to visit other countries. At Mosul, in Mesopotamia, whither he first directed his course, he found the attention of the students entirely confined to the chemistry of that day, with which he was already sufficiently acquainted. Having spent a year at Mosul, he removed to Damascus in Syria, where the grammarian Al Kindi then enjoyed the highest reputation; and with whom he is said to have engaged in a controversy on some subjects of grammar and philology, which terminated in favour of Abdollatiph.

At this time, Egypt had yielded to the arms of Saladin, who was marching against Palestine for the purpose of wresting that country from the hands of the Christians: yet towards Egypt Abdollatiph was irresistibly impelled by that literary curiosity which so strongly marked his character. To the successful prosecution of this journey, the consent and patronage of the sultan were indispensably necessary: but when the Arabian physician arrived at the camp near Acca, (the ancient Ptolemais, now Acre) to solicit his powerful protection, he found the Saracens bewailing a defeat which they had recently experienced; a defeat so honourable to the skill and valour of our English Richard, that nothing less than the late matchless defence of this fortress, by a handful of British seamen and marines, could have detracted from its importance, or eclipsed its glory. Hence the lofty spirit of the sultan was plunged into a morbid melancholy, which excluded the traveller from his presence; but the favours which he received evinced the munificence of Saladin, and he persisted in his design of exploring the wonders of Egypt. One strong inducement which influenced him on this occasion, was the instruction which he hoped to derive from the society of the celebrated Maimonides; and by Al Kadi Al Fadel, who had earnestly but unsuccessfully solicited him to return to Damascus, he was furnished with such recommendations as procured for him the most flattering reception at Cairo. His talents and his virtues confirmed and increased the kindness with which he was welcomed on his first arrival; and the Egyptians of the highest rank continued to vie with each other in cultivating his friendship.

From this intercourse, however, with the great and the learned, Abdollatiph withdrew, in order to present himself before the sultan; who, having concluded a truce with the Franks, then feasted in the Holy City. Here he was received by Saladin with every expression of esteem for his character and attainments.