Humayun Kabir

Humayun Kabir Biography

Humayun Kabir was a noted writer and politician from Bengal who lived in the 20^th century. He was one of drafters of the UNESCO 1950 statement titled The Race Question. Jehangir Kabir – noted Bengali politician and Trade Union Leader was his younger brother. He was the uncle of Altamas Kabir - the 39th Chief Justice of India. He wrote many books on communist party and was also associated with it. In fact his daughter Leila Kabir is married to George Fernandes, a leading politician associated with Communist party. A former parliamentarian, he has served as a cabinet minister twice in the ministry of Jawaharlal Nehru and Lal Bahadur Shastri.

Known as a writer he published many books on several subjects, which include both fiction and non-fiction works. He also published poetry works and he was fully active in writing during 1940s-1960s. Imanuel Kant, Rabindranath Tagore (1945), Banglar Kavya, Men and Rivers, Ashtadashi, Sharat Sahityer Multattva, Svapnasadh, Sathi, Nadi O Nari, Poetry, Monads and Society, Mirza Abu Talib Khan and Muslim Politics in Bengal are among his published works.

Kabir was born on 22 February 1906 in Komarpur village of Faridpur District of British Bengal, currently in Bangladesh. His father was a Deputy Magistrate. Kabir was brilliant in academics since school days. He completed matriculation in 1922. He completed graduation and post-graduation in English, both from Calcutta University. He won first rank at MA exams which earned him a scholarship to study at Oxford University, where he completed his degree in 'Modern Greats' in 1931. The following year he started his career as a lecturer at the newly started established Andhra University.

He later served many decorative positions in educational field such as Joint Education Adviser, Education Secretary and Chairman of the University Grants Commission in Delhi. An active politician in the free India, he has served as a cabinet minister twice and has been an MP during the period 1962-1969. He married a Hindu lady in 1930, which created a huge uproar in the society.

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Updated: April 24, 2016