Renowned Iranologist Iraj Afshar passes away at 85
28 March 2011
Tehran, March 10, IRNA – Renowned Iranologist, book expert, and member of Great Islamic Encyclopedia' Supreme Scientific Council, Iraj Afshar passed away at Tehran's Jam Hospital Wednesday evening.
According to IRNA Cultural Desk reporter, Professor Iraj Afshar who was hospitalized since March 3rd died at the age of 85.
He was the son of Dr. Mahmoud Afshar, the founder of Afshar Yazdi Foundation and one of the professors of Iran's first modern university Daar ol-Fonoun.
He was born on April 5th, 1925 in Tehran and began his primary school studies in 1933 at the Zoroastrians School of Tehran. In the year 1945 he began his university studies at the Faculty of Laws of the University of Tehran and continued there till getting his PhD degree in law.
Afshar was a literary and scientific asset for Iran and was unique in book keeping.
He was a master in English and French languages and was the book keeper at Tehran University's Faculty of Law for ten years, after which he was appointed as the head of the Library of Tehran Supreme College.
He served as the head of the National Library of Iran relying on his long experience of book keeping in those libraries for a few years.
He was a member of the Iranology Institute, member of the Book Choosing Board, member of the Iranian Book Keepers Association, and member of the Executive Board of History Association.
Afshar cooperated with many newspapers and periodicals such as Jahan-e Nou magazine; was the chief editor of Ayandeh magazine, the chief editor of Sokhan magazine, the manager of the Book of the Month periodical, cooperated in the establishment of the Iranian Book Club, was the manager and chief editor of the Iranian Book Digest, prepared a list of the Persian books published by Harvard University, was the manager and editor in chief of the Iranology magazine and had many other journalist posts and activities.
In the year 1951 in collaboration with four of his literary friends he began the publication of 'Farhang-e Iran Zamin' (The Culture of Motherland Iran) and since 1948 he had accepted the management of the Book Guide magazine, as well.
On an invitation by Harvard University he taught there for a year and was meanwhile organizing the books in eastern languages at that university.
He had some trips to various countries, all related to book and book keeping affairs.
Among the published books of this great Iranologist we can refer to the 1st and 2nd volumes of Research Works in Iranology (2005), History Notebook (2005), Dr. Mahmoud Afshar Foundation (2005), Travelogue of Rose Gardens in Motherland (2005), and Tehran Letters (2006).
Professor Iraj Afshar also left four sons in this world, Babak, Bahram, Koushyar, and Arash.
Scotland University had programmed giving an honorary doctorate Professor Afshar in December 2011.
May his great soul rest in peace and his blessed name be always remembered with great pride by every Iranian.
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