Iranian thinker
Badiozzaman Forouzanfar
Badiozzaman ForouzanfarPersian literature, textual criticism, Rumi studiesIranian1897–1970
Life and Thought
Badiozzaman Forouzanfar (1897–1970) was an Iranian literary scholar, researcher of Persian literature, and one of the most prominent Rumi scholars of the twentieth century. Through his critical editions of classical Persian works, especially the Masnavi and Divan-e Shams, he played an important role in modern studies of Rumi and Persian literary texts.
Badiozzaman Forouzanfar, originally named Mohammad-Hossein Beshrouyei, was born in 1897 in Boshruyeh, Khorasan. After studying classical literary and religious sciences, he moved to Tehran and continued his education and academic activities. He later became one of the prominent professors of Persian literature at the University of Tehran.
Forouzanfar was among the most important researchers of classical Persian literature in modern Iran. A major part of his reputation came from his extensive studies on Jalal al-Din Rumi, including his historical and literary research on Rumi’s life and works.
His major editorial works include critical editions of the Masnavi Manavi and Kulliyat-e Shams Tabrizi. His method relied on comparing manuscripts, linguistic precision, and scholarly principles of textual criticism, making his editions important resources for researchers of Persian literature.
He also contributed to Persian literary history and stylistics. His scholarly legacy remains influential, especially in the field of Rumi studies and classical Persian literature.