John Drysdale (historian)

John Drysdale
Born21 May 1925
United Kingdom
Died10 July 2016 (aged 91)
Somaliland
Burial placeHargeisa
NationalityBritish
Other namesAbbas Idris
CitizenshipSomaliland citizenship / British citizenship - dual citizenship
Alma materOxford University
Notable work
  • The Somali Dispute (1964)
  • Singapore Struggle for Success (1984)
  • In the Service of the Nation (1985)
  • Whatever Happened to Somalia (1994)

John Gordon Stewart Drysdale (21 May 1925 – 10 July 2016), also known as Abbas Idriss, was a British-born army officer, diplomat, writer, historian, and businessman. He spent much of his life in Somalia, Somaliland and Singapore. Drysdale served as an advisor to three successive Somali prime ministers in the 1960s and later for three successive United Nations special envoys during the international intervention in the Somali Civil War.[1][2] He also served as a mediator between warring factions in Mogadishu during 1992 and 1993.[3][4]

Drysdale, who spoke fluent Somali, was widely regarded as a foreign expert on Somali culture, history, literature and society. He has also authored several books and founded numerous important academic journals and publications.[2] He converted to Islam several years before his death.[5][6]

  1. ^ Drysdale, John (2000). Stoics without pillows : a way forward for the Somalilands. London: HAAN Associates. ISBN 1-874209-73-1. OCLC 49494935.
  2. ^ a b Goth, Mohammad (12 July 2016). "State Funeral for the Late Abbas Idriss". SomalilandPress. Archived from the original on 6 August 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
  3. ^ Hirsley, Micheal (22 January 1993). "God was her co-pilot on her journey to Somalia". The Janesville Gazette. Chicago Tribune. pp. 1C.
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  6. ^ "Oday John Drysdale Oo Illaahay Ku Hanuuniyey Inuu Islaamo Oo Uu Qaato Diinta Islaamka, Lana Magac Baxay Cabaas Idiris" [Elder John Drysdale Who Was Guided By God To Convert To Islam And Take The Religion Of Islam, And Named Abbas Idris]. Haatuf News (in Somali). 18 January 2009. Retrieved 19 September 2024.