The British Institute of Persian Studies greatly regrets to announce the death of Ehsan Yarshater, who was 98.

Yarshater, who specialised in Iranology, was the Founder and Director of the Center for Iranian Studies at Columbia University and editor-in-chief of the Encyclopedia Iranica, a scholarly, groundbreaking, and comprehensive research tool authored by multiple scholars. Iranica is dedicated to the broad and inclusive study of Persian civilisation in the Middle East, the Caucasus, Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent as well as the history of Persian literature, offering a comprehensive history of its subjects.

The Center for Iranian Studies was renamed “Ehsan Yarshater Center” in August to honor Professor Yarshater whose legacy and dedication to the study of Persian history and culture was exceptional.

We wish to extend our deepest condolences to his friends, family and colleagues.