He was the first to write poetic plays in Arabic. He has a statue at the Garden of Immortals in Rome. In 1968 the UNESCO celebrated the anniversary of his birth.

He was born in Cairo and died in 1932. Shawki came at a time when Arabic poetry was weak in idea and style. So, his poetry was a step towards innovation through his prolific poetic writings and their variation, whether poems, poetic plays and epics, and prose books.

He had full command of French, Turkish, Greek and English languages that helped him in reading Turkish and Greek literature, particularly the Greek theatre which inspired western writers.

He was deeply impressed by French literature, as he followed the steps of La Fontaine's fables voiced by animals. He also followed the same line of Victor Hugo in politics, patriotism and national history, and Racine and Moliere in poetic plays.

In 1927, he was chosen the Prince of Poets by Egyptian and Arab poets at a ceremony held at the Opera House in Cairo.

In March 1996, his house was turned into a museum inaugurated by the First Lady Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak to honor a talented poet who enjoys, till now great respect and admiration among Arabic-speaking peoples.