Ebrahim Pourdavoud

Who was Ebrahim Pourdavoud?

Ebrāhim Pourdāvoud, was born in Rasht, Iran, to a mother who was the daughter of a clergyman and a father who was a reputable merchant and landlord. He is one of the most formidable scholars of Iran during the 20th century. Pourdavoud translated Avesta into Persian in six volumes. He made in addition many other significant contributions to the Iranian studies.

At 20 Pourdavoud moved to Tehran to study traditional medicine, but medicine proved not to be to his liking. In 1908, at the age of 23, he went to Beirut where he studied French literature for two and a half years. He then returned to Iran to visit his family but before long left for France. Here he published the periodical Iranshahr, with the first issue appearing in April 1914 and the fourth and the last issue on the day the World War I erupted. During the War he established himself in Baghdad where he published the periodical Rastakhiz; in total 25 issues of this periodical were published, publication lasting until March 1916. He left Baghdad for Berlin where he stayed until 1924. His studies in Germany led him to Zoroastrian history and teachings.