Iraj Afshar
Encyclopedia
Iraj Afshar was a bibliographer, historian, and an iconic figure in the field of Persian studies
. He was a consulting editor of Encyclopædia Iranica
at Columbia University
and a full professor emeritus of University of Tehran
.
Iraj Afshar recorded the monuments of Yazd
in his three-volume "yādegār-hāye Yazd (Monuments of Yazd)". http://www.iht.com/articles/2004/01/06/bam_ed3_.php He was known as "the doyen of standard Persian language bibliographers". Afshar played a significant role in the development of the field of Iranology in Iran and throughout the world during the second half of the 20th century.
He was the editor of Sokhan, a prolific Iranology journal, under the responsibility of Parviz Natel-Khanlari
and also the editor of rāhnamāye ketāb (Bibliography Guide), Mehr, farhang-e Iranzamin (Culture of Iran) and Ayandeh.
He was the chief bibliographer of Persian books at Harvard University
. Afshar was associated with UNESCO
and taught at the University of Bern and University of Tehran
.
He was on the advisory council for the Iranian Studies Journal
.
Persian studies
Persian Studies is the study of the Persian language and its literature specifically. It is differentiated from Iranian Studies which is a broader, more interdisciplinary subject that focuses more on the histories and cultures of all Iranian peoples....
. He was a consulting editor of Encyclopædia Iranica
Encyclopædia Iranica
Encyclopædia Iranica is a project whose goal is to create a comprehensive and authoritative English language encyclopedia about the history, culture, and civilization of Iranian peoples from prehistory to modern times...
at Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
and a full professor emeritus of University of Tehran
University of Tehran
The University of Tehran , also known as Tehran University and UT, is Iran's oldest university. Located in Tehran, the university is among the most prestigious in the country, and is consistently selected as the first choice of many applicants in the annual nationwide entrance exam for top Iranian...
.
Iraj Afshar recorded the monuments of Yazd
Yazd
Yazd is the capital of Yazd Province in Iran, and a centre of Zoroastrian culture. The city is located some 175 miles southeast of Isfahan. At the 2006 census, the population was 423,006, in 114,716 families....
in his three-volume "yādegār-hāye Yazd (Monuments of Yazd)". http://www.iht.com/articles/2004/01/06/bam_ed3_.php He was known as "the doyen of standard Persian language bibliographers". Afshar played a significant role in the development of the field of Iranology in Iran and throughout the world during the second half of the 20th century.
He was the editor of Sokhan, a prolific Iranology journal, under the responsibility of Parviz Natel-Khanlari
Parviz Natel-Khanlari
Parviz Natel Khanlari Mazandarni , Iranian literary scholar, linguist, author, researcher and professor at Tehran University.-Biography:...
and also the editor of rāhnamāye ketāb (Bibliography Guide), Mehr, farhang-e Iranzamin (Culture of Iran) and Ayandeh.
He was the chief bibliographer of Persian books at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
. Afshar was associated with UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
and taught at the University of Bern and University of Tehran
University of Tehran
The University of Tehran , also known as Tehran University and UT, is Iran's oldest university. Located in Tehran, the university is among the most prestigious in the country, and is consistently selected as the first choice of many applicants in the annual nationwide entrance exam for top Iranian...
.
He was on the advisory council for the Iranian Studies Journal
Iranian Studies Journal
The Iranian Studies Journal is a quarterly peer-reviewed academic journal covering Iranian and Persianate history, literature, and society published by Routledge on behalf of the International Society for Iranian Studies. It is published 6 times a year and was established in 1967. The...
.
Biographical timeline
- 1925: Birth in Tehran, Iran (Father: Dr. Mahmoud Afshar, Mother: Nosrat Barazandeh)
- 1933-1945: Attended Zoroastrian Shāpour Secondary School and Firouz-Bahrām High School in Tajrish, Tehran
- 1944-1946: Manager of Ayandeh Journal
- 1945: Received Diploma in Literature
- 1945: Marriage to Shayesteh Afsharieh
- 1945-1949: Attended University of TehranUniversity of TehranThe University of Tehran , also known as Tehran University and UT, is Iran's oldest university. Located in Tehran, the university is among the most prestigious in the country, and is consistently selected as the first choice of many applicants in the annual nationwide entrance exam for top Iranian...
majoring in Law, thesis: Minorities in Iran - 1946-1955: Collaboration with jahān-e now (New World) Journal (Editor in Chief: Hossein Hejazi)
- 1950: Employed by Ministry of Culture and Education as educator at Sharif High School and Gharib High School
- 1951-1960: Librarian – Law Library of University of TehranUniversity of TehranThe University of Tehran , also known as Tehran University and UT, is Iran's oldest university. Located in Tehran, the university is among the most prestigious in the country, and is consistently selected as the first choice of many applicants in the annual nationwide entrance exam for top Iranian...
– with encouragement from Dr. Mohsen Sabah and Mohammad-Taqi Danesh-Pajouh - 1952-1953: Editor-in-Chief of Mehr Journal (licensee: Majeed Movaqqar)
- 1952: Continuing Founder and Managing Editor of farhang-e Irānzamin Journal (in association with Mohammad-Taqi Danesh-Pajouh, Manoucher Sotoudeh, Mostafa Mogharrabi, Abbas Zaryab Khoyee)
- 1963-1966: Publication of ketābhāy-e Iran (Books of Iran) (Annual bibliography)
- 1954-1956: Editor-in-Chief of Sokhan Journal (licensee: Dr. Parviz Natel-Khanlari)
- 1955-1961: Director ketābhāy-e māh (Books of the Month) Journal (Publication of Society of Publishers with cooperation of Franklin Publishing Corporation)
- 1956-1963: Acting Managing Director bongāh-e tarjomeh o nasher-e ketāb (Institute for Translation and Publishing of Books)
- 1956-1957: Attended UNESCOUNESCOThe United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
Educational and Practical Library Science training in Europe - 1957-1958: Co-founder bāshgāh-e ketāb (Book Club) later named anjoman-e ketāb (Book Society)
- 1958-1969: Educator Library Science at dāneshsarāy-e ālee (Higher Education) division of University of TehranUniversity of TehranThe University of Tehran , also known as Tehran University and UT, is Iran's oldest university. Located in Tehran, the university is among the most prestigious in the country, and is consistently selected as the first choice of many applicants in the annual nationwide entrance exam for top Iranian...
- 1958-1979: Managing Editor rāhnamāy-e ketāb Journal (licensee: Ehsan YarshaterEhsan YarshaterEhsan Yarshater is the founder and director of The Center for Iranian Studies, and Hagop Kevorkian Professor Emeritus of Iranian Studies at Columbia University. He was the first full-time professor of Persian at a U.S. university since World War II....
) - 1958-1979: Director anjoman-e ketāb (Book Society)
- 1961-1979: Founder nashriyeh noskhehāy-e khatti (Journal of Manuscripts), Central Library of University of TehranUniversity of TehranThe University of Tehran , also known as Tehran University and UT, is Iran's oldest university. Located in Tehran, the university is among the most prestigious in the country, and is consistently selected as the first choice of many applicants in the annual nationwide entrance exam for top Iranian...
(in collaboration with Mohammad-Taqi Danesh-Pajouh) - 1961-1962: Director of the Library of dāneshsarāy-e āli
- 1962: Director National Library of Iran (founded Iranian Studies Branch, founded Bibliography of Iran and indexing of library's manuscripts with efforts of Abdollah Anvar)
- 1962: Return to teaching at dāneshsarā-e āli
- 1963-1964: Return to University of TehranUniversity of TehranThe University of Tehran , also known as Tehran University and UT, is Iran's oldest university. Located in Tehran, the university is among the most prestigious in the country, and is consistently selected as the first choice of many applicants in the annual nationwide entrance exam for top Iranian...
as Director of Center of Bibliographic Research and Indexing - 1963: Indexing and Cataloging Harvard University printed Persian books
- 1963: Technical Manager of Library Sciences Literacy Committee (UNESCO National commission)
- 1964-1971: Director of Bureau of Publications and Cultural Relations (Later named Bureau of Publications and Library Relations)
- 1965-1979: Director of Central Library and Document Center, University of TehranUniversity of TehranThe University of Tehran , also known as Tehran University and UT, is Iran's oldest university. Located in Tehran, the university is among the most prestigious in the country, and is consistently selected as the first choice of many applicants in the annual nationwide entrance exam for top Iranian...
- 1965-1973: Teaching at Iran Historical Social Divisions dāneshkadeh olum ejtemāee (Department of Social Sciences) University of TehranUniversity of TehranThe University of Tehran , also known as Tehran University and UT, is Iran's oldest university. Located in Tehran, the university is among the most prestigious in the country, and is consistently selected as the first choice of many applicants in the annual nationwide entrance exam for top Iranian...
- 1966-1979: Founded ketābdāri Journal, a publication of University of TehranUniversity of TehranThe University of Tehran , also known as Tehran University and UT, is Iran's oldest university. Located in Tehran, the university is among the most prestigious in the country, and is consistently selected as the first choice of many applicants in the annual nationwide entrance exam for top Iranian...
Central Library - 1969: Director National Book Center interrelated to UNESCO National Commission
- 1969-1979: Associate Professor, later Professor of History (Historical Documents and Native History) Department of Literature and Human Sciences, University of TehranUniversity of TehranThe University of Tehran , also known as Tehran University and UT, is Iran's oldest university. Located in Tehran, the university is among the most prestigious in the country, and is consistently selected as the first choice of many applicants in the annual nationwide entrance exam for top Iranian...
. (Manuscripts in Library Science) College of Educational Sciences - 1969-1972: Director Iranshenāsi Journal, Publication of Department of Literature and Human Sciences, University of TehranUniversity of TehranThe University of Tehran , also known as Tehran University and UT, is Iran's oldest university. Located in Tehran, the university is among the most prestigious in the country, and is consistently selected as the first choice of many applicants in the annual nationwide entrance exam for top Iranian...
- 1969-1979: Permanent Director of Congress of Iranian Studies
- 1979-1983: Established sāzemān-e ketāb (independently)
- 1979-1993: Published Ayandeh Journal from 5th volume for fifteen years
- 1983: Death of father (Dr. Mahmoud Afshar, PhD.)
- 1984: Established nāmvāreh-e Dr. Mahmoud Afshar published by Doctor Mahmoud Afshar Foundation. From 11th volume it was named pajouhesh-hāye Irāni (Iranian Studies/Research)
- 1989: Teaching at Bern University, Bern Switzerland
- 1996: Death of spouse (Shayesteh Afsharieh)
- 1998: Cataloging Persian manuscripts at Austrian National Library (Vienna)
- 2001: Established daftar-e tārikh, publishing small documents and thesis from Doctor Mahmoud Afshar Foundation
Memberships
- 1951: Society of Iranian Studies (President Ebrahim Pourdavoud and Secretary Dr. Mohammad Moien)
- 1955-1978: Founding Member Iranian Society of Philosophy and Human Sciences affiliated with UNESCO national committee
- 1958: Ministry of Foreign Relation's Library Council
- 1959: Committee to establish countrywide archiving representing UNESCO national committee
- 1962: University of TehranUniversity of TehranThe University of Tehran , also known as Tehran University and UT, is Iran's oldest university. Located in Tehran, the university is among the most prestigious in the country, and is consistently selected as the first choice of many applicants in the annual nationwide entrance exam for top Iranian...
Central Library council - 1962: Executive Council "Institute of research in literature and Iranian languages council" (Ministry of Culture and Art)
- 1964-1978: Board to select book (Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Culture and Art)
- 1965: Executive Board (Center for Research and introduction of Iranian Civilization and Culture)
- 1965: Board of Founders Iranian Society of History of Science and Medicine
- 1972-1976: Council of Tehran Public Libraries
- 1972-1978: Book of the Year Award Committee
- 1972-1976: Iran Librarian Society
- 1974-1978: Executive Board "History Society" affiliated with "Language and Literature Cultural Center" Also the secretary of the Cultural Center
- 1974: Board of Trusties "Mojtaba Minavi Endowment Library" and Shahnameh Foundation
- 1976: Board of Trusties "Sayeed Mohammad-Ali Jamalzadeh Publish works" consigned to University of TehranUniversity of TehranThe University of Tehran , also known as Tehran University and UT, is Iran's oldest university. Located in Tehran, the university is among the most prestigious in the country, and is consistently selected as the first choice of many applicants in the annual nationwide entrance exam for top Iranian...
- 1977: Selected guardian "Mohammad Fateh Endowment Dormitory" University of TehranUniversity of TehranThe University of Tehran , also known as Tehran University and UT, is Iran's oldest university. Located in Tehran, the university is among the most prestigious in the country, and is consistently selected as the first choice of many applicants in the annual nationwide entrance exam for top Iranian...
- 1977-1978: Board of Trusties "Iran Cultural Foundation"
- 1977-1978: Supreme Council of "Iran National Documents"
- 1979-1982: Board of Founders National Monuments Society
- 1979: Europe Iranian Studies Society
- 1983: Council of Custodians Doctor Mahmud Afshar Foundation (Selected Custodian)
- 1989: Honorary Member Institute of Central and West Asian Studies, Karachi
- 1990: Board of Experts al-Furqān, Islamic Heritage Foundation
- 1993: Consulting Editor Encyclopædia Iranica
- 1993: Board of Trusties Dr. Ali-Akbar Siasi Endowment Library, University of Yazd
- 1997: Honorary Member Society of Iranian Studies (U.S.A)
- 1997: Supreme Council Center for the Great Islamic Encyclopedia (CGIE)
- 1998: Supreme Council National Library (Iran)
- 2000: Council of experts nāmehye bahārestān (Journal of Manuscript Research and Studies)
- 2001: Council of Guardians Eurasian Studies Journal (Italy)