Zabihollah Safa
Encyclopedia
Zabihollahhh Safa (May 7, 1911 in Shahmirzad
, Iran
- April 29, 1999 in Lübeck
, Germany
) was a scholar and professor Emeritus of Iranian Studies
at the University
of Tehran
.
His main contribution to the field of Iranian studies
is seen in his seminal and comprehensive works on the history of Persian literature. He was also a regular contributor to the Encyclopaedia Iranica.
and Tehran, he attended the Car al-Mo’allemin-e Ali (later Daneshsara-ye Ali) and the University of Tehran where he received a doctorate in Persian literature in 1943. His thesis, a comprehensive study of epic narratives in Iran (Hamaseh – sarai dar Iran) was later published as a book and illustrated his ability to synthesize a vast range of readings into a coherent manual for teaching.
His precocious talents and productivity also manifested itself in his journalistic activities as a young man. As early as 1933 he began contributing to the influential journal Mehr, and was its chief editor from 1937 to 1941.
He was also a capable administrator, again using his talents for organized and systematic work to the full. He taught at the University of Tehran from 1941, was appointed to the chair of Persian literary history in 1948, and was dean of the Faculty in 1963-1967.
Upon retirement, he became an emeritus professor in 1969. He also held high positions in other administrative spheres including the UNESCO commission in Iran and on the board of the Red Lion and Sun Organization (the Iranian counterpart to the Red Cross).
It is however, for his work as an editor of many classical texts and above all, for his monumental History of Persian Literature and his valuable anthology (translated into French in the UNESCO
Collection as Anthologie de la poésie persane by Gilbert Lazard, Roger Lescot and Henri Massé, Paris, 1964) that he will be best remembered.”
(Newsletter of the Center for Iranian Studies, Melac, Vol 11, No 1, Columbia University, New York, Spring 1999)
Rang Commandeur (French Government) (1970), Neshan-e Taj (1977), Ehsan Yarshater
prize (1997)
Shahmirzad
Shahmirzad is a city in and capital of Shahmirzad District, in Mehdishahr County, Semnan Province, Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 7,273, in 1,860 families....
, Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
- April 29, 1999 in Lübeck
Lübeck
The Hanseatic City of Lübeck is the second-largest city in Schleswig-Holstein, in northern Germany, and one of the major ports of Germany. It was for several centuries the "capital" of the Hanseatic League and, because of its Brick Gothic architectural heritage, is listed by UNESCO as a World...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
) was a scholar and professor Emeritus of Iranian Studies
Iranian Studies
Iranian studies , is an interdisciplinary field dealing with the study of history, literature, art and culture of the Iranian people. It is a part of the wider field of Oriental studies....
at the University
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...
of Tehran
Tehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
.
His main contribution to the field of Iranian studies
Iranian Studies
Iranian studies , is an interdisciplinary field dealing with the study of history, literature, art and culture of the Iranian people. It is a part of the wider field of Oriental studies....
is seen in his seminal and comprehensive works on the history of Persian literature. He was also a regular contributor to the Encyclopaedia Iranica.
Education
"After primary and secondary education in BabolBabol
Babol is a city in and the capital of Babol County, Mazandaran Province, Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 198,636, in 55,943 families....
and Tehran, he attended the Car al-Mo’allemin-e Ali (later Daneshsara-ye Ali) and the University of Tehran where he received a doctorate in Persian literature in 1943. His thesis, a comprehensive study of epic narratives in Iran (Hamaseh – sarai dar Iran) was later published as a book and illustrated his ability to synthesize a vast range of readings into a coherent manual for teaching.
Professional life
The topic chosen for his thesis was also an indication of his life long love for his country and his determination to bear witness through his writing to major literary, philosophic and scientific contributions made by Iranians to civilization at large.His precocious talents and productivity also manifested itself in his journalistic activities as a young man. As early as 1933 he began contributing to the influential journal Mehr, and was its chief editor from 1937 to 1941.
He was also a capable administrator, again using his talents for organized and systematic work to the full. He taught at the University of Tehran from 1941, was appointed to the chair of Persian literary history in 1948, and was dean of the Faculty in 1963-1967.
Upon retirement, he became an emeritus professor in 1969. He also held high positions in other administrative spheres including the UNESCO commission in Iran and on the board of the Red Lion and Sun Organization (the Iranian counterpart to the Red Cross).
It is however, for his work as an editor of many classical texts and above all, for his monumental History of Persian Literature and his valuable anthology (translated into French in the UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
Collection as Anthologie de la poésie persane by Gilbert Lazard, Roger Lescot and Henri Massé, Paris, 1964) that he will be best remembered.”
(Newsletter of the Center for Iranian Studies, Melac, Vol 11, No 1, Columbia University, New York, Spring 1999)
Awards
Z. Safa has won several awards: a.o. Decoration (medal) for Science (1. class) (Cultural Ministry (1936), Nesân-e sepâs, 1. class (1947), Palmes AcadémiquesPalmes académiques
The Ordre des Palmes Académiques is an Order of Chivalry of France for academics and cultural and educational figures...
Rang Commandeur (French Government) (1970), Neshan-e Taj (1977), Ehsan Yarshater
Ehsan Yarshater
Ehsan 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....
prize (1997)
Persian Literature
- Hamase-sarâ’i dar Iran, Tehran 1945 (2000)
- Târikh-e tahawwol-e Nazm-o- Nassr-e Pârsi, 1952 (1331), 8. ed. 1974 (1353),
- Ayên’e sokhan. Dar ma’âni wa bayân, Tehran 1952 (1959), 18. ed. 1994
- Târikh’e adabiyyât dar Irân, Tehran 1953, 16. ed. 2001 8 vol.
- Gandje Sokhan, 1370 pages, 1968 (1348), ed. 1976 (1355), Tehran, 1995 3 vol.
- Gandjine-je Sokhan, 1969 (1348), 3. ed. 1974 (1353), ?. ed. 1983, Tehran, 6 vol.
- Gandj va Gandjine, Tehran 2002
Persian History and History of Thought and Science
- Gâh-shomari wa Djashn-hâ-je Melli –je Irâniân, 1933 -1976 (1312–1355))
- Dânesh-ha-ye Iunâni dar Shâhanshâhi-ye Sâssâni, 1952 (1331) Tehran
- Mazdâ-Parast-i dar Irân-e Ghadim, 1957 (1336), 3. ed. 1978 (1357) (2537)
- Târikh’e olum’e aghli dar tammaddon’e eslami ta awwasate gharne panjom, Tehran, 1952 (1977)
- Târikh-e Oulum wa Adabiyyât-e Irâni
- Moghâddem-e-ï bar Tassâwof, 1975 (1354), 4 ed. 1976 (1355), Tehran
- Nazar-i beh Târikh-e Hekmat wa Oulum dar Irân, 1976 (1355), Tehran
- Âmuseshgâh-ha wa Âmusesh-hâ dar Irân,1975 (1354), Tehran
- Dur-namâ-ï as Farhang-e Irâni wa Assar-e Djahâni-ye Ân, 1971 (1350), Tehran
- Khollasseh-ye Târikhe Siyâssi wa Edjtemâï dar Irân, 2. ed. 1978 (1357), Tehran
- Siri dar Târikh-e Sabân –hâ wa Addab-e Irâni, 1976 (1355) Tehran
- Niki-nâmeh, 1971 (1350), Tehran
- Âyin-e Shâh-han-shâhi-ye Irân, 1967 (1346), Tehran
- Târikh-e Shâhanshâhi-ye Irân wa Maghâm-e Manawi-e Ân, 1975 (1354), Tehran
- Shâhanshah dar Târikh wa Addab-e Irâni
Editorials and Works on Specific Historic Personalities
- Ayyuqi (Poet of the 5th C./isl.): Warqa o Golshâh, Edition with Introduction, Glossary and Appendix. 1964 Tehran, (This novel written in verses was translated into the French language by Souren Melikian (In: Arts Asiatiques Tome XXII. Numéro Spécial.in 1970) after being published in Iran. (Remark by Z. Safa in his handwritten CV)
- Djashn-nâmeh-je Ebn-e Sinâ(3 volumes), vol 1: 1952 (1331), vol 2: 1955 (1334), vol. 3: 1956 (1335), Teheran
- Yâd-Nâmeh-ye Kh. Tussi(Congress Teheran 1957 (1336))
- Diwân-e Abdul-Wâse’ Djebli, 1960 (1339), 2. ed. 1977 (1356), Tehran
- Dârâb-nâmeh-je Bigami (or Firuznâmeh) 2 volumes, vol 1: 1960, (1339), vol 2: 1962 (1341) (both issues reprinted in 2003) Unesco - Translation into Englisch
- Diwân-e Saïfu’d-din e Mohammade Farghâni, 1962 (1341), 3. ed. 1965 (1344), 3 volumes
- Dârâb-nâmeh-je Tarsussi, 2 volumes, vol. 1: 1965 (1344), 2. ed. 1977 (1356), vol 2: 1967, 2. ed. 1977 (1356), Tehran
- Bakhtiârnâmeh, 1966 (1345)
- Ahwâl wa Assâr-e Abu Reihân-e Biruni, 1973 (1352), Tehran
- Dalirân-e Djânbâs, 1976 (1355), Tehran, 467 pages
- Bahrâm-e Tshubin
- Rostam wa Esfandijâr(Rostam and Esfandiar – Heroes of the Shâhnâmeh
- Tshâhar Maghâleh
- Hakim-e Fârâb, 1974 (1353), Tehran
Works published in French
- Le livre du Millénaire d’Avicenne, 1953 (1332)
- Anthologie de la poésie persane, Paris, Gallimard Unesco, 1964, ?. ed. 2003
- Un aperçu sur l’évolution de la pensée à travers la poésie persane, 1969 (1348), Tehran
- Al-Biruni, ses oeuvres et ses pensées, 1973 (1352), Teheran
- Djalal al-Din Mawlavi, grand penseur et poète persan 1974 (1353), Tehran
- La prose rythmique persane (Asiathèque, 1976)
- Comparaison des origines et des sources des deux contes persans:“Leyli et Madjnoun“ de Nizami et „Varqah et Golchah“ de Ayouqi, Accademia Nazionale die Lincei, Roma, 1977
Translations into the persian language
- Marg-e Soghrât, (La mort de Socrate, Lamartine) 1935 (1314), 3.ed. 1968 (1347), Tehran
- Râfâël, (Raphael, Lamartine) 1938 (1317), 5. ed. 1978 (1357), Tehran
- Leibnitz, Mehr, 2. ed. 1949 (1328)
- Kayâniân, 1957 (1336), 4. ed. 1976 (1355), Translation of the Danish scholar Arthur Christensens: ‚Les Kayanides’
Literature (Selection)
- Iranshenasi. Papers in Honour of Professor Zabihollah Safa. Vol.III, No. 1, Rockville, Maryland, USA Spring 1991
- Iranshenasi.Commemorative Issue for Zabihollah Safa (1911–1999). Vol.XI, No. 3, Rockville, Maryland, USA Autumn 1999
- Djalal Khaleghi Motlagh: "Zabihollah Safa und sein Werk". (Zabihollah Safa and his works). In: Iranzamin, Bonn 1991,1
- Seyfeddin Najmabadi: "Ein Nachruf auf Professor Zabihollah Safa". (Obituary for Professor Zabihollah Safa) In: Orient 4/2000, Hamburg , S. 528ff.
- Mohammad Torabi. Djaschn-nâmeh-ye Ostâd Zabihollâh Safâ (Honorary issue for Professor Zabihollah Safa). Nasr'e Shâhâb, Teheran 19
Quotes on Zabihollah Safa
- "The most outstanding historian of Persian literature" (BBC, Persian 11 November 1999)
- "One of the most eminent and productive Persian scholars of our time and a Consulting Editor and regular contributor to the Encyclopaedia Iranica" (Newsletter of the Center for Iranian Studies, Melac, Vol 11, No 1, Columbia University, New York, Spring 1999)
- "An Eternal Name in the History of Persian Literature." (Ehsan Yarshater lecutreship prize signature, 1997)
See also
- Iranian StudiesIranian StudiesIranian studies , is an interdisciplinary field dealing with the study of history, literature, art and culture of the Iranian people. It is a part of the wider field of Oriental studies....
- Persian literaturePersian literaturePersian literature spans two-and-a-half millennia, though much of the pre-Islamic material has been lost. Its sources have been within historical Persia including present-day Iran as well as regions of Central Asia where the Persian language has historically been the national language...