Born in 1937, Tarek Ali Hassan wore many hats and excelled in all of them. No wonder he was often referred to as a true Renaissance Man.

Medical doctor, musician, philosopher, writer, poet, and painter Tarek Ali Hassan described himself as “somebody who loves human beings and believes in them.”

His mother Zeinab Kamel Hassan was the first Egyptian woman to teach at the Faculty of Science. His father was particularly interested in biochemistry and nutrition and served as the dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Alexandria University; he was also the General Director of University Hospitals.

Raised in a household attached to the hospital, medicine became Hassan's first professional path. However, since Hassan’s parents believed in the importance of music and arts, he started practising music.

In the 1950s, he travelled to London to pursue postgraduate studies in medicine; he also decided to study music academically at the Royal Academy of Music (as a non-regular student). 

The former Professor of Medicine and Endocrinology and chief of endocrinology at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Hassan also introduced music to the university students.

He instigated many projects to bring music and the arts to the young, including initiating music appreciation activities at the Faculty of Medicine.

As a musician, he was actively involved in cultural circles and became one of the first chairmen of the Cairo Opera House (1989-1991).

Being an accomplished composer, Hassan's musical works were performed in Cairo and Europe, while his paintings were exhibited in Cairo and London galleries.

He has published major philosophical and dramatic works in English and Arabic.

In parallel to all his academic and artistic obligations, he served as chairman of the Zeinab Kamel Hassan Foundation for Holistic Human Development, a foundation carrying his mother’s name.

Throughout decades of his scientific and artistic practice, Hassan received astounding awards in medicine, music, literature and arts, including Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, grade Commandeur.

He was also nominated for many national and international prizes, and his contributions to medicine and music are equally weighted.