Charles Philip Issawi was a distinguished scholar whose work pioneered the study of Middle Eastern economic history. With a career that spanned academia and international organisations, Issawi studied the region’s economic evolution, addressing topics like demography, trade, colonialism, industrialisation, and state-led development. His profound understanding of political economy allowed him to explore how global and local forces shaped economic outcomes in the Middle East. Issawi’s ability to merge historical analysis with economic theory contributed to a more sophisticated understanding of the region’s past and present. His legacy still motivates contemporary research and remains pivotal in the field of economic history in the Middle East.