N. J. Dawood (1927–2014) was an Iraqi-born British translator known for his English translation of several key works of Middle Eastern literature, most notably "The Koran," which has been widely praised for its clarity and fluency. He also worked on translations of "The Thousand and One Nights" (often called "Arabian Nights") and various works of Arabic folklore and poetry. Dawood's works are characterized by their accessibility to Western audiences, aiming to convey the spirit and meaning of the original texts while maintaining readability in English. His translations have been published through Penguin Classics and have reached a broad audience, contributing to the understanding and appreciation of Islamic and Middle Eastern literature in the English-speaking world.