In January 1952, the Egyptian monarchy, for the second time, banned a history book by Abd al-Rahman al-Rafii (1889–1966). Several months later, in the wake of the July Revolution, al-Rafii's status had changed dramatically. From his former position as an officially marginalized historian and politician he had become the editor of a daily newspaper, a member of the new constitutional committee, and the head of Egypt's bar association. He subsequently won several state prizes for his scholarly achievements. His books were reprinted and distributed widely. The president quoted him in his speeches. By the early 1960s, al-Rafii had become Egypt's most awarded and celebrated historian of the 20th century and was selected as Egypt's candidate for the Nobel Prize.