Alexander Russell Webb (1846-1916; journalist, publisher, and U.S. ambassador) is noted as the first American to have converted to Islam. Raised as a Presbyterian, Webb eventually abandoned his Christian upbringing to investigate other faiths, ultimately converting to Islam in 1888. Ironically, while he declared himself a Muslim, Webb had not even met a single Muslim. Soon afterwards,…
Day: June 2, 2025
Preserving the Impressions of History – A Decade of Digitizing Chinese Rubbings at Harvard
Chinese rubbings, or tayin, are an ancient art form and practical method for reproducing texts and images carved into stone or other hard materials. For over 1,500 years, rubbings have been a vital medium for preserving China’s cultural, artistic, and historical legacy. By pressing thin, wet sheets of paper into carvings or inscriptions and carefully…