Kayyali, Sami (1898-1972): Syrian writer, journalist and historian. Born in Aleppo. His early career started as a civil servant in the municipality of Aleppo. Later he joined the Syrian commission to the UNESCO and became a member of the Arab League Cultural Committee. He issued al-Hadith magazine (1927-1960). His works include Nazarat fil Tarikh wal Naqd (Views on History and Critique), Shahr fi Oropa (A Month in Europe) and Al-Fikr Al-Arabi (Arab Thought).