Sunday 25 May 2025 - 15:47
Iranian noted translator and academic Hassan Kamshad passes away

IBNA- Prominent Iranian translator, academic, and researcher of Persian literature Hassan Kamshad died in London. He was 99.

Kamshad was a professor of Persian language at the University of Cambridge and a visiting professor at the University of California, and an official of the National Iranian Oil Company.

Kamshad's most important translation is 'What is History' by H.A. Kar and his most notable work is 'The Founders of Modern Persian Prose', which is the translation of his doctoral dissertation.

Born in Isfahan on June 25, 1925, he received his bachelor's degree in law from the University of Tehran. After completing his studies in 1948, Kamshad was employed by the Oil Company and moved to the oil-rich region of southern Iran.

In 1954, filmmaker and literary figure Ebrahim Golestan arranged for Kamshad to begin teaching Persian at the University of Cambridge. Alongside teaching, he pursued his studies and earned a Ph.D. in Persian literature from Cambridge.

After graduating, he continued teaching Persian at the same university as a faculty member. He also served as a visiting professor at the University of California.

After retiring, and upon the recommendation of Iranian writer Sadeq Chubak, who had also once worked for the Oil Company, Kamshad resumed translation work.

He had begun translating years before his retirement, during his early years working at the Oil Company: “When I was transferred to Masjed Soleyman, I translated ‘Citizen Tom Paine’ (written by Howard Fast), and it was published,” he once said.

The first book he took on, in his own words, seriously, was 'What is History?' by E. H. Carr, which was published by Kharazmi Publishing House in the 1970s.

About choosing the book, he had said: “I knew the author of the book. I had attended his classes in Cambridge.” His most notable work is 'The Founders of Modern Persian Prose'.

After translating books that explored the philosophy of history, Kamshad developed an interest in the history of philosophy and eventually in philosophy itself.

His first book in this field was the translation of 'Sophie's World' by Norwegian author Jostein Gaarder, which was published in 1996 by Niloufar Publishing House. As in other countries, the book quickly became a bestseller in Iran.

The public's enthusiasm for 'Sophie's World' stemmed from the fact that it was a philosophical novel, combining narrative with philosophical content, presenting the subject in simple language for a 15-year-old girl.

He then translated 'Wittgenstein’s Poker' by David Edmonds and 'The Story of Philosophy' by Bryan Magee, both of which, like 'Sophie's World,' explain the history of philosophy and philosophical theories in simple language.

The documentary 'Hadith Nafs' directed by Mohammad Naseri Rad portrays Kamshad's life.

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