Encyclopædia Iranica

Encyclopædia Iranica is a project of Columbia University started in 1973^[1] at its Center for Iranian Studies with the goal to create a comprehensive and authoritative English language encyclopedia about the history, culture, and civilization of Iranian peoples from prehistory to modern times. It is the standard encyclopaedia of the academic discipline of Iranistics. Since 1979, the encyclopedia has been sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities (which, as of 2007 has been covering one-third of the project's budget for a few years^[1]) and a variety of other charitable foundations and individuals The scope of the encyclopedia goes beyond Persia (Iran) and encompasses other geographical areas where Iranian languages dominated in certain times: Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Anatolia and Kurdistan, as well as some regions of the Caucasus, South Asia, Central Asia, and Mesopotamia. Relations of the Iranian world with other cultures (China, Europe, etc.) are also covered. It has already published 12 volumes, and is planning to publish a total of up to 30 volumes. Its editor-in-chief is Ehsan Yarshater and its managing editor is Ahmad Ashraf. Its editorial board includes Nicholas Sims-Williams, Christopher J. Brunner, Mohsen Ashtiany, Manuchehr Kasheff , and over 40 Consulting Editors from major international institutions doing research in Iranian Studies^[2]. A growing number (over 1,200 in 2006) of scholar authors from academic institutions in the United States, Europe, and Asia have contributed articles to Iranica. Several foundations, organizations, and individuals have supported Iranica. The list of sponsors includes the National Endowment for the Humanities, American Council of Learned Societies, Union Académique Internationale, Iran Heritage Foundation, and many philantropic families and individuals. The full text of entries is available for free viewing online. PC and Mac users will require a simple free font download in order to have the words display using their intended characters and accents. On March 25th 2007, the Associated Press released a news story on the Encyclopædia Iranica, introducing it to the greater public.^[3] This story was picked up by the news media, both print and online. CNN International, for instance, published it (with modifications) on the CNNI website. The article, however, contained serious inaccuracies, prompting Encyclopædia Iranica to publish an official response.

See also

• Iranology
• Academy of Persian Language and Literature

External links

• Encyclopædia Iranica Website. Full-text access to the Encyclopædia as it currently exists.
• Columbia College Today on Encyclopædia Iranica
• CNN World: "Move over Britannica, here's Encyclopedia Iranica" (2)
• Reviews
• Scholar reviews of Iranica

References