Pūrdāwūd, Ibrāhīm (1885-1968)

Ebrahim Pourdavoud (February 9, 1885 - November 17, 1968), 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 the Avesta into Persian in six volumes. He made in addition many other significant contributions to Iranian studies. In 1924 Pourdavoud founded the School of Ancient Languages where he initiated extensive research work concerning ancient history and ancient Iranian languages, especially the Avestan language. In 1945 he founded the Iranology Society and very soon afterwards the School of Iranology.