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Description
Dr. Kebede Michael (November 2, 1916 – November 12, 1998) was one of the most prolific and versatile Ethiopian intellectuals, authors, and poets of the 20th century. Over a career spanning several decades, he authored or translated around 90 published works. His diverse bibliography spans school textbooks, poetry, plays, history, philosophy, and socio-economic development.
Early Life and Education
- Birth: Born in Menz Gerim Gabriel, Semien Shewa, Ethiopia.
- Lineage: His maternal ancestry connects to King Sahle Selassie of Shewa.
- Nurture: Raised by his mother, Woizero Atsede Mikael, after his father vanished early in his life.
- Church Education: Began his early education learning Ge’ez and traditional Ethiopian church texts.
- Modern Education: Attended the Catholic Cathedral School, Lazarist Mission, and the Alliance Éthio-Française in Addis Ababa.
- Linguistic Mastery: Mastered Amharic, Ge’ez, French, and English fluently.
Notable Works
Dr. Kebede Michael is celebrated for writing structural educational textbooks utilized in schools from 1940 to 1970. His most famous literary works available on platforms like Amazon include:
- Tarik Ena Mesale (Stories and Examples): A canonical poetic collection exploring moral tales.
- Japan Endemin Seletenech: A historic, analytical piece examining Japan’s rapid modernization.
- Yesilitane Ayer: An essay collection focused on global civilization and scientific progress.
- Yeqine Azmra & Yeqine Wubet: Masterful collections showcasing his unique poetry and rhyming styles.
- Translations: Translated William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth into Amharic.
Government and Diplomatic Roles
Alongside his writing, he was a distinguished statesman serving Imperial Ethiopia:
- Ministry Official: Served as Director-General of the Ministry of Education.
- Foreign Affairs: Appointed Deputy Director in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1942.
- Preservation: Appointed Director of the National Library of Ethiopia in 1944.
- Global Diplomat: Represented Ethiopia as a regular delegate to the United Nations in New York.
Awards and Legacy
- Imperial Recognition: Awarded the first Prize for Literature by Emperor Haile Selassie.
- Global Honors: Received official medals from France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, and the USSR.
- Honorary Doctorate: Conferred an Honorary Doctorate of Letters by Addis Ababa University in 1990 for his unparalleled literary genius
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