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Edward Granville BrowneBritish writer and orientalist
Date of Birth: 07.02.1862
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Literary Contributions
- Involvement with the Bábí Movement
- Legacy and Honors
- Browne received the Persian Order of the Lion and the Sun.
Early Life and Education
Edward Granville Browne was a British scholar and Orientalist who published extensively on history and literature, particularly focusing on Persia (present-day Iran). His work was known for its academic rigor, originality, and elegant writing style.
Browne's academic acumen was recognized during his lifetime and further enhanced after his passing in 1926. He delved into fields of study that were still relatively unexplored by Western scholars. His language and tone were respectful, even towards individuals he did not personally admire.
Literary Contributions
In 1893, Browne published "A Year Amongst the Persians," a groundbreaking work that provided a comprehensive depiction of Persian society, including an exposé on the prevalence of opium abuse. While initially neglected upon its release, the book became a classic of English travel literature after Browne's death.
Browne also authored "A Literary History of Persia" (four volumes published between 1902 and 1924), which established the work as an authoritative reference in its field.
Involvement with the Bábí Movement
Despite widespread suspicion of foreigners, particularly British and Russian nationals, in Persia during the early 20th century, Browne was well-received by the local population, who were familiar with his publications. His writings on the Bábí movement, inherited from Joseph Arthur de Gobineau, brought him particular acclaim.
Browne published two translations of Bábí histories and introduced Western readers to the early history of the Bábí and Bahá'í faiths.
Legacy and Honors
Browne's legacy endures today. A street in Tehran bears his name, and a statue of him remains intact despite the Iranian Revolution of 1979. It is important to note that Browne was not a Bahá'í himself but rather an Orientalist whose interest in the Bábí movement stemmed from encountering Gobineau's book in a Cambridge library.
Browne translated and introduced "A Traveller's Narrative," written by `Abdu'l-Bahá, to a Western audience, providing extensive annotations and appendices.
In 1902, Browne was appointed to the Adams Professorship of Arabic at the University of Cambridge. He played a significant role in establishing the School of Living Oriental Languages at Cambridge to train civil servants for consular posts in Egypt, Sudan, and Lebanon.
Browne received the Persian Order of the Lion and the Sun.
Personal LifeIn 1906, Browne married. His sons, Patrick and Edward Andrew Michael Browne, achieved distinction as a lawyer and High Court judge, respectively.
