Encyclopædia Iranica

Infobox Book
name = Encyclopædia Iranica
title_orig =
language = English
image_caption = Copyright Encyclopædia Iranica
author = 1200 named contributors.
Editor in chief:
Ehsan Yarshater
country = United States of America
language = English
subject = Iranistics and Greater Iran studies
genre = Reference encyclopedia
publisher = Center for Iranian Studies,
Columbia University
release_date = 1985-present
media_type = 45 Hardback Volumes
13 Volumes have been published so far
pages =
isbn = 1568590504 __NOTOC__"Encyclopædia Iranica" is a project whose goal is to create a comprehensive and authoritative English language encyclopedia about the history, culture, and civilization of Iranian peoples from prehistory to modern times.cite web|title=Official response of the Encyclopaedia Iranica to the "Associated Press" article of March 25, 2007 entitled "U.S.-funded encyclopedia revels in Iran's greatness"|date=2007-04-05|last=Ashraf|first=Ahmad|publisher=Encyclopedia Iranica|url=http://www.iranian.com/News/2007/April/Images/ReplyToAP.pdf] It is a project of Columbia University, started in 1973 at its Center for Iranian Studies, and is considered the standard encyclopaedia of the academic discipline of Iranistics.

The scope of the encyclopedia goes beyond Iran and encompasses other geographical areas where Iranian languages dominated at 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.

The project has published 12 volumes, and is planning on publishing a total of up to 30 volumes. The full text of entries is available for free viewing online. (PC and Mac users require a simple [http://www.iranica.com/articlenavigation/win_font.html free font download] to display words showing their correct characters and accents, but this is not necessary for casual viewing.)

The editor-in-chief is Ehsan Yarshater and managing editor is Ahmad Ashraf. The 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. [ [http://www.iranica.com/newsite/aboutiranica/index.isc Encyclopaedia Iranica ] ] A growing number (over 1,200 in 2006) of scholars from academic institutions in the United States, Europe, and Asia have contributed articles to "Encyclopædia Iranica".

Many foundations, organizations, and individuals have supported "Encyclopædia Iranica". 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. The list of sponsors includes American Council of Learned Societies, Union Académique Internationale, Iran Heritage Foundation, and many other charitable foundations, philanthropic families and individuals.

Recent controversy

On March 25, 2007, the Associated Press released a news story about "Encyclopædia Iranica" alleging political bias among its editors, introducing it to the greater public. [ [http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070326/iran_encyclopedia_070326/20070326?hub=Entertainment CTV.ca | U.S.-funded encyclopedia revels in Iran's greatness ] ] This story was picked up by the news media, both print and online. For example, CNN International published it (with modifications) on their website. The article, however, contained serious inaccuracies, prompting "Encyclopædia Iranica" to publish an [http://www.iranian.com/News/2007/April/Images/ReplyToAP.pdf official response] .

See also

* Iranology
* Academy of Persian Language and Literature
* List of online encyclopedias
* Dastur al-Muluk

References

External links

* [http://www.iranica.com/ "Encyclopædia Iranica" Website] . Full-text access to the Encyclopædia as it currently exists.
* [http://www.iranica.com/newsite/articlenavigation/instructions.html Font installation instructions for viewing Iranica online]
* [http://www.college.columbia.edu/cct/nov03/features5.php "Columbia College Today" on "Encyclopædia Iranica"]
* [http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/03/25/iran.encyclopedia.ap/index.html CNN World: "Move over Britannica, here's Encyclopedia Iranica"] [http://www.cbc.ca/cp/entertainment/070325/e032508A.html (2)]
* [https://www.iranica.com/reviews/index.html Reviews]
* [https://www.iranica.com/opinion/index.html Scholar reviews of Iranica]