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{{Short description|American historian (1920–2014)}}
{{Redirect|Richard Frye|the autism researcher|Richard E. Frye}}
{{Redirect|Richard Frye|the autism researcher|Richard E. Frye}}
{{Infobox scientist
{{Infobox scientist
| image = Frye Ghirshman.jpg
| image = Richard N. Frye.jpg
| image_size =
| image_size =
| alt =
| alt =
| caption =Richard Nelson Frye and Roman Ghirshman, 1966
| caption =
| birth_name = Richard Nelson Frye
| birth_name = Richard Nelson Frye
| birth_date = {{Birth date |1920|01|10}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date |1920|01|10}}
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| nationality = American
| nationality = American
| fields = [[Iranian studies]]
| fields = [[Iranian studies]]
| workplaces = [[Goethe University Frankfurt]] <br> [[University of Hamburg]] <br> [[Shiraz University]] <br> [[Tajik State National University]] <br> [[Harvard University]]
| workplaces = [[Goethe University Frankfurt]] <br /> [[University of Hamburg]] <br /> [[Shiraz University]] <br /> [[Tajik State National University]] <br /> [[Harvard University]]
| alma_mater = [[University of Illinois]] <br /> [[Harvard University]]
| alma_mater = [[University of Illinois]] <br /> [[Harvard University]]
| doctoral_advisor =
| doctoral_advisor =
| academic_advisors = [[Arthur Pope]] <br /> [[Walter Bruno Henning]]
| academic_advisors = [[Arthur Pope]] <br /> [[Walter Bruno Henning]]
| doctoral_students =
| doctoral_students =
| notable_students = [[Annemarie Schimmel]] <br /> [[Oleg Grabar]] <br /> [[Frank Huddle]] <br /> [[John Limbert]] <br /> [[Michael Crichton]]<br>[[Richard Cottam]]
| notable_students = [[Frank Huddle]] <br /> [[John Limbert]] <br /> [[Michael Crichton]]<br />[[Richard Cottam]]<br />[[Richard Bulliet]]<br />[[Roy Mottahedeh]]<br />[[Jamsheed Choksy]]
| awards = [[Farabi International Award]] <br> [[Khwarizmi International Award]]
| awards = [[Farabi International Award]] <br /> [[Khwarizmi International Award]]
| spouse = [[Eden Naby]]
| spouse =
}}
}}
'''Richard Nelson Frye''' (January 10, 1920&nbsp;– March 27, 2014) was an [[United States|American]] scholar of [[Iranian people|Iranian]] and [[Central Asia|Central Asian Studies]], and [[Aga Khan]] Professor Emeritus of Iranian Studies at [[Harvard University]].<ref>http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~turkish/relfaculty.html Richard Nelson Frye, Aga Khan Professor of Iranian-Emeritus Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations</ref><ref>http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~iohp/frye.html</ref> His professional areas of interest were Iranian [[philology]] and the history of [[Iran]] and [[Central Asia]] before 1000 CE.
'''Richard Nelson Frye''' (January 10, 1920&nbsp;– March 27, 2014) was an American scholar of [[Iranian studies|Iranian]] and [[Central Asian studies]], and [[Aga Khan]] Professor Emeritus of Iranian Studies at [[Harvard University]].<ref>http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~turkish/relfaculty.html Richard Nelson Frye, Aga Khan Professor of Iranian-Emeritus Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~iohp/frye.html|title=Harvard IOHP &#124; Richard N. Frye Transcripts}}</ref> His professional areas of interest were Iranian [[philology]] and the history of [[Iran]] and [[Central Asia]] before 1000 CE.


Born in [[Birmingham, Alabama]], to a family of immigrants from [[Sweden]], "Freij" had four children, his second marriage being to an [[Assyrians in Iran|Iranian-Assyrian]] scholar, [[Eden Naby]], from [[Urmia]], [[Iran]] who teaches at [[Columbia University]]. He spoke fluent [[Russian language|Russian]], [[German language|German]], [[Arabic language|Arabic]], [[Persian language|Persian]], [[Pashto language|Pashto]], [[French language|French]], [[Uzbek language|Uzbek]], and [[Turkish language|Turkish]],<ref>''Greater Iran'', Mazda Publishers, 2005. {{ISBN|1-56859-177-2}}</ref> and had extensive knowledge of [[Avestan]], [[Zoroastrian Middle Persian|Pahlavi]], [[Sogdian language|Sogdian]], and other Iranian languages and dialects, both extinct and current.{{citation needed|date=July 2017}}
Born in [[Birmingham, Alabama]], to a family of immigrants from [[Sweden]], "Freij" had four children, his second marriage being to a scholar, who teaches at [[Columbia University]]. He spoke fluent [[Russian language|Russian]], [[German language|German]], [[Arabic language|Arabic]], [[Persian language|Persian]], [[Pashto language|Pashto]], [[French language|French]], [[Uzbek language|Uzbek]], and [[Turkish language|Turkish]],<ref>''Greater Iran'', Mazda Publishers, 2005. {{ISBN|1-56859-177-2}}</ref> and had extensive knowledge of [[Avestan]], [[Zoroastrian Middle Persian|Pahlavi]], [[Sogdian language|Sogdian]], and other Iranian languages and dialects, both extinct and current.{{citation needed|date=July 2017}}


Although Frye is mostly known for his works about [[Iran]], the [[Iranian people]]s and Iranian Central Asia, the scope of his studies was much wider and includes [[Byzantine]], [[Caucasus|Caucasian]], and [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] history, [[Eastern Turkistan]], [[Assyria]] and the [[Assyrian people]], ancient and medieval [[Iranian art]], [[Islamic art]], [[Sufism]], Chinese and Japanese archeology, and a variety of Iranian and non-Iranian languages including [[Avestan]], [[Old Persian]], [[Middle Persian]], [[Parthian language|Parthian]], [[Sogdian language|Sogdian]], [[Khotanese language|Khotanese]], and [[Bactrian language|Bactrian]], [[New Persian]], [[Arabic]], Turkish, and even Chinese, beside research languages which include French, German, Italian, and Russian.<ref name="iranica1">{{cite web|url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/pages/r-n-frye-2014|title=Richard Nelson Frye (January 10,1920 – March 27, 2014)|last=Yarshater|first=Ehsan|authorlink=Ehsan Yarshater|date=March 31, 2014|publisher=[[Encyclopædia Iranica]]|accessdate=20 April 2014}}</ref>
Although Frye is mostly known for his works about [[Iran]], the [[Iranian peoples|Iranian people]]s and Iranian Central Asia, the scope of his studies was much wider and includes [[Byzantine]], [[Caucasus|Caucasian]], and [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] history, [[Eastern Turkistan]], [[Assyria]] and the [[Assyrian people]], ancient and medieval [[Iranian art]], [[Islamic art]], [[Sufism]], Chinese and Japanese archeology, and a variety of Iranian and non-Iranian languages including [[Avestan]], [[Old Persian]], [[Middle Persian]], [[Parthian language|Parthian]], [[Sogdian language|Sogdian]], [[Khotanese language|Khotanese]], and [[Bactrian language|Bactrian]], [[New Persian]], [[Arabic]], Turkish, and even Chinese, beside research languages which include French, German, Italian, and Russian.<ref name="iranica1">{{cite web|url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/pages/r-n-frye-2014|title=Richard Nelson Frye (January 10,1920 – March 27, 2014)|last=Yarshater|first=Ehsan|author-link=Ehsan Yarshater|date=March 31, 2014|publisher=[[Encyclopædia Iranica]]|access-date=20 April 2014}}</ref>


==Early life and career==
==Early life and career==
Frye was born in Birmingham, Alabama. He first attended the [[University of Illinois system|University of Illinois]], where he received a BA in history and philosophy in 1939. He received his MA from [[Harvard University]] in 1940 and his PhD from Harvard in 1946, in [[Asia|Asiatic history]].{{citation needed|date=July 2017}}
Frye was born in [[Birmingham, Alabama]]. He first attended the [[University of Illinois system|University of Illinois]], where he received a BA in history and philosophy in 1939. He received his MA from [[Harvard University]] in 1940 and his PhD from Harvard in 1946, in [[Asia|Asiatic history]].{{citation needed|date=July 2017}}


Frye served with the [[Office of Strategic Services]] during [[World War II]]. He was stationed in [[Afghanistan]] and traveled extensively in the [[Middle East]], [[Central Asia]], and [[South Asia]]. In 1948 he visited [[Sar Masshad]], and was the first European to find and report the existence of the [[Gur-e Dokhtar]] tomb (meaning "Tomb of the Maiden" in [[Persian language|Persian]].
Frye served with the [[Office of Strategic Services]] during [[World War II]]. He was stationed in [[Afghanistan]] and traveled extensively in the [[Middle East]], [[Central Asia]], and [[South Asia]]. In 1948, he visited [[Sar Masshad]], and was the first European to find and report the existence of the [[Gur-e Dokhtar]] tomb (meaning "Tomb of the Maiden" in [[Persian language|Persian]]).


He returned to Harvard to teach. He was a member of the Harvard faculty from 1948 until 1990. He then became a professor emeritus at Harvard. He also served as faculty, guest lecturer, or visiting scholar at:
He returned to Harvard to teach. He was a member of the Harvard faculty from 1948 to 1990. He then became a professor emeritus at Harvard. He also served as faculty, guest lecturer, or visiting scholar at the following:
* [[Habibiya College]] in [[Kabul]] (1942–44)
* [[Habibiya College]] in [[Kabul]] (1942–1944)
* [[Johann Wolfgang Goethe University of Frankfurt am Main|Frankfurt University]] (1959–60)
* [[Johann Wolfgang Goethe University of Frankfurt am Main|Frankfurt University]] (1959–1960)
* [[Hamburg University]] (1968–69)
* [[Hamburg University]] (1968–1969)
* [[Pahlavi University]] of [[Shiraz, Iran|Shiraz]] (1970–76)
* [[Pahlavi University]] of [[Shiraz, Iran|Shiraz]] (1970–1976)
* [[University of Tajikistan]] (1990–92).
* [[Tajik National University]] (1990–1992).


Professor Frye helped found the Center for Middle Eastern Studies<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cmes.hmdc.harvard.edu/ecmes/features/remapping |title=Crossing Boundaries: Remapping the Study of Middle East History |last=Kafadar |first=Cemal |date=November 22, 2005 |work=Harvard University Center for Middle Eastern Studies |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080518044244/http://cmes.hmdc.harvard.edu/ecmes/features/remapping |archivedate=May 18, 2008 }}</ref> at Harvard, the first [[Iranian Studies|Iranian studies]] program in America. He also served as Director of the ''Asia Institute'' in [[Shiraz, Iran|Shiraz]] (1970–1975), was on the Board of Trustees of the [[Pahlavi University]] at [[Shiraz, Iran|Shiraz]] (1974–78), and Chairman, ''Committee on Inner Asian Studies'', at Harvard (1983–89), and as Editor of the ''Bulletin of the Asia Institute'' (1970–1975 and 1987–99).
Professor Frye helped found the Center for Middle Eastern Studies<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cmes.hmdc.harvard.edu/ecmes/features/remapping |title=Crossing Boundaries: Remapping the Study of Middle East History |last=Kafadar |first=Cemal |date=November 22, 2005 |work=Harvard University Center for Middle Eastern Studies |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080518044244/http://cmes.hmdc.harvard.edu/ecmes/features/remapping |archive-date=May 18, 2008}}</ref> at Harvard, the first [[Iranian studies]] program in America. He also served as Director of the ''Asia Institute'' in [[Shiraz, Iran|Shiraz]] (1970–1975), was on the Board of Trustees of the [[Pahlavi University]] at [[Shiraz, Iran|Shiraz]] (1974–1978), and Chairman, ''Committee on Inner Asian Studies'', at Harvard (1983–1989), and as Editor of the ''Bulletin of the Asia Institute'' (1970–1975 and 1987–1999).


Among Frye's students were [[Annemarie Schimmel]],<ref>''Greater Iran'', Mazda Publishers, 2005. {{ISBN|1-56859-177-2}} p.193</ref> [[Oleg Grabar]],<ref>[http://www.thirteen.org/bigideas/grabar.html Big Ideas. Big Thinkers. Oleg Grabar | Thirteen/WNET<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> [[Frank Huddle]] (former US Ambassador to [[Tajikistan]]), [[John Limbert]], and [[Michael Crichton]], whose [[Hollywood]] film [[The 13th Warrior]] is loosely based on Frye's translation of [[Ibn Fadlan]]'s account of his travels up the river [[Volga]].<ref>''Greater Iran'', Mazda Publishers, 2005. {{ISBN|1-56859-177-2}} p.90, p.150</ref>
Among Frye's students were [[Annemarie Schimmel]],<ref>''Greater Iran'', Mazda Publishers, 2005. {{ISBN|1-56859-177-2}} p.193</ref> [[Oleg Grabar]],<ref>[http://www.thirteen.org/bigideas/grabar.html Big Ideas. Big Thinkers. Oleg Grabar | Thirteen/WNET<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> [[Frank Huddle]] (former US Ambassador to [[Tajikistan]]), [[John Limbert]], and [[Michael Crichton]], whose [[Hollywood (film industry)|Hollywood]] film ''[[The 13th Warrior]]'' is loosely based on Frye's translation of [[Ibn Fadlan]]'s account of his travels up the [[Volga River]].<ref>''Greater Iran'', Mazda Publishers, 2005. {{ISBN|1-56859-177-2}} p.90, p.150</ref>


Frye was also directly responsible for inviting Iranian scholars as distinguished visiting fellows to Harvard University, under a fellowship program initiated by [[Henry Kissinger]]. Examples of such guests include [[Mehdi Haeri Yazdi]] (1923–1999), [[Sadegh Choubak]], [[Jalal al Ahmad]], and others.<ref>''Greater Iran'', Mazda Publishers, 2005. {{ISBN|1-56859-177-2}} p. 103, p.174</ref>
Frye was also directly responsible for inviting Iranian scholars as distinguished visiting fellows to Harvard University, under a fellowship program initiated by [[Henry Kissinger]]. Examples of such guests include [[Mehdi Haeri Yazdi]] (1923–1999), [[Sadegh Choubak]], [[Jalal al Ahmad]], and others.<ref>''Greater Iran'', Mazda Publishers, 2005. {{ISBN|1-56859-177-2}} p. 103, p.174</ref>


==Frye as a proponent of Persian culture==
==Proponent of Persian culture==
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Frye felt that [[List of Persia-related topics|Persian civilization]] was under-appreciated by other [[Muslims]], particularly [[Arabs]]. Frye wrote:
⚫
[[Image:Ghavam garden shiraz.jpg|thumb|250px|The [[Qavam House]], where the famous ''[[Shiraz University]] Asia Institute'' was founded. Frye headed the institute from 1969 to 1974.]]
⚫
Frye felt that [[List of Persia-related topics|Persian civilization]] was under-appreciated by other [[Muslim]]s, and [[Arab]] Muslims in particular. Frye wrote:


{{quote|1=Arabs no longer understand the role of Iran and the Persian language in the formation of Islamic culture. Perhaps they wish to forget the past, but in so doing they remove the bases of their own spiritual, moral and cultural being...without the heritage of the past and a healthy respect for it...there is little chance for stability and proper growth. |2=R. N. Frye|3= ''The Golden Age of Persia'', London: Butler & Tanner Ltd., 1989, page 236}}
{{blockquote|1=Arabs no longer understand the role of Iran and the Persian language in the formation of Islamic culture. Perhaps they wish to forget the past, but in so doing they remove the bases of their own spiritual, moral and cultural being... without the heritage of the past and a healthy respect for it... there is little chance for stability and proper growth. |2=R. N. Frye|3= ''The Golden Age of Persia'', London: Butler & Tanner Ltd., 1989, page 236}}


In August 1953, shortly before the fall of [[Mosaddegh]], prominent Iranian linguist [[Ali Akbar Dehkhoda]] gave Frye the title: "Irandoost" (meaning "a friend of Iran").<ref>''Greater Iran'', Mazda Publishers, 2005. {{ISBN|1-56859-177-2}} p. 142</ref>
In August 1953, shortly before the fall of [[Mosaddegh]], the prominent Iranian linguist [[Ali Akbar Dehkhoda]] gave Frye the title "Irandoost" (meaning 'iranophile').<ref>''Greater Iran'', Mazda Publishers, 2005. {{ISBN|1-56859-177-2}} p. 142</ref>
⚫
[[Image:Ghavam garden shiraz.jpg|thumb|250px|The [[Qavam House]], where the famous ''[[Shiraz University]] Asia Institute'' was founded. Frye headed the institute from 1969 to 1974.]]

In addition, Frye was a long standing supporter of [[Assyrian continuity]]; the historical and ancestral connection between modern [[Assyrian people|Assyrians]] and the Ancient Mesopotamians.<ref>http://www.aina.org/articles/frye.pdf</ref>
In addition, Frye was a long-standing supporter of [[Assyrian continuity]], and valued the historical and ancestral connection between modern [[Assyrian people|Assyrians]] and the Ancient Mesopotamians.<ref>http://www.aina.org/articles/frye.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref>


A ceremony was held in Iran on June 27, 2004 to pay tribute to the six-decade endeavors of Professor Frye on his lifetime contribution to [[Iranian Studies]], research work on the [[Persian language]], and the history and culture of [[Iran]].
A ceremony was held in Iran on June 27, 2004, to pay tribute to the six-decade endeavors of Frye on his lifetime contribution to [[Iranian Studies]], research work on the [[Persian language]], and the history and culture of [[Iran]].


In his will, Professor Frye expressed his wish to be buried next to the [[Zayandeh River]] in [[Isfahan (city)|Isfahan]]. This request was approved by Iranian president [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]] in September 2007.<ref>[http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/09/13/africa/ME-GEN-Iran-American-Scholar.php Ahmadinejad allows burial of American professor in Iran], [[The Associated Press]], Published: September 13, 2007.</ref>
In his will, Frye expressed his wish to be buried next to the [[Zayandeh River]] in [[Isfahan (city)|Isfahan]]. The request was approved by Iranian President [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]] in September 2007.<ref>[http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/09/13/africa/ME-GEN-Iran-American-Scholar.php Ahmadinejad allows burial of American professor in Iran], [[The Associated Press]], Published: September 13, 2007.</ref>
Two other American scholars of Iranian Studies, [[Arthur Pope]] and [[Phyllis Ackerman]], are already buried there.
Two other American scholars of Iranian Studies, [[Arthur Pope]] and [[Phyllis Ackerman]], are already buried there.
In 2010, a house in [[Isfahan (city)|Isfahan]] was gifted by Iranian government to Professor Frye in recognition of his services to Iranian studies.<ref>http://www.payvand.com/news/10/aug/1093.html</ref>
In 2010 the Iranian government gave a house in [[Isfahan (city)|Isfahan]] to Professor Frye in recognition of his services to Iranian studies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.payvand.com/news/10/aug/1093.html|title = Ahmadinejad donates house in Isfahan to American Iranologist}}</ref>


On June 8, 2014, the family of Dr. Frye decided to cremate his remains after waiting more than 2 months for official Iranian permission to bury him in Isfahan. His death coincided with growing resentment by Iranian hard-liners over signs of reconciliation with the United States after decades of estrangement. It is not clear what the family intended to do with his ashes. <ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/25/world/middleeast/harvard-scholars-body-cremated-after-request-for-burial-in-iran-falters.html Iran: Harvard Scholar’s Body Cremated After Request for Burial in Iran Falters], [[The New York Times]], Published: June 24, 2014.</ref>
On June 8, 2014, the family of Frye decided to cremate his remains after waiting more than two months for official Iranian permission to bury him in Isfahan. His death coincided with growing resentment by Iranian hardliners over signs of reconciliation with the United States after decades of estrangement. It is not clear what the family intended to do with his ashes.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/25/world/middleeast/harvard-scholars-body-cremated-after-request-for-burial-in-iran-falters.html Iran: Harvard Scholar’s Body Cremated After Request for Burial in Iran Falters], [[The New York Times]], Published: June 24, 2014.</ref>


[[Richard Foltz]] dedicated his book ''A History of the Tajiks: Iranians of the East'' to Frye's memory.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Foltz |first1=Richard |author-link=Richard Foltz|title=A History of the Tajiks: Iranians of the East |date=2019 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=978-1784539559}}</ref>
⚫
==Frye as a public speaker==

⚫
Frye was a popular public speaker at numerous Iran-related gatherings. In 2005, he spoke at [[University of California, Los Angeles|UCLA]], encouraging the Iranians present to cherish their culture and identity.<ref>[http://www.iran-heritage.org/interestgroups/frye-speech.htm Iran Heritage<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050413153303/http://www.iran-heritage.org/interestgroups/frye-speech.htm |date=2005-04-13 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.parstimes.com/events/frye_gallery.html Professor Richard Nelson Frye Lecture at UCLA Royce Hall&nbsp;– March 13, 2005<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In 2004, he spoke at an architectural conference in Tehran, expressing his dismay at hasty modernization that ignores the beauties of traditional Iranian architectural styles (see [[Architecture of Tehran]]).{{citation needed|date=July 2017}}
⚫
==Public speaker==
⚫
Frye was a popular public speaker at numerous Iran-related gatherings. In 2005, he spoke at [[University of California, Los Angeles|UCLA]] and encouraged the Iranians present to cherish their culture and identity.<ref>[http://www.iran-heritage.org/interestgroups/frye-speech.htm Iran Heritage<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050413153303/http://www.iran-heritage.org/interestgroups/frye-speech.htm |date=2005-04-13 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.parstimes.com/events/frye_gallery.html Professor Richard Nelson Frye Lecture at UCLA Royce Hall&nbsp;– March 13, 2005<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In 2004, he spoke at an architectural conference in Tehran and expressed his dismay at hasty modernization that ignores the beauties of traditional Iranian architectural styles (see [[Architecture of Tehran]]).{{citation needed|date=July 2017}}


==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==
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* ''Neue Methodologie in der Iranistik'', Wiesbaden, 1974
* ''Neue Methodologie in der Iranistik'', Wiesbaden, 1974
* ''The Golden Age Of Persia: The Arabs in the East'', Weidenfeld & Nicolson, London, 1988
* ''The Golden Age Of Persia: The Arabs in the East'', Weidenfeld & Nicolson, London, 1988
* {{Cite journal|last=Frye|first=Richard N.|author-link=Richard N. Frye|title=Assyria and Syria: Synonyms|journal=Journal of Near Eastern Studies|year=1992|volume=51|number=4|pages=281–285|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/545826}}
* {{Cite journal|last=Frye|first=Richard N.|author-link=Richard N. Frye|title=Assyria and Syria: Synonyms|journal=Journal of Near Eastern Studies|year=1992|volume=51|number=4|pages=281–285|doi=10.1086/373570|jstor=545826|s2cid=161323237|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/545826}}
* ''The heritage of Central Asia from antiquity to the Turkish expansion'' Markus Wiener, Princeton, 1996
* ''The heritage of Central Asia from antiquity to the Turkish expansion'' Markus Wiener, Princeton, 1996
* {{Cite journal|last=Frye|first=Richard N.|author-link=Richard N. Frye|title=Assyria and Syria: Synonyms|journal=Journal of Assyrian Academic Studies|year=1997|volume=11|number=2|pages=30-36|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713125829/http://www.jaas.org/edocs/v11n2/frye.pdf}}
* {{Cite journal|last=Frye|first=Richard N.|author-link=Richard N. Frye|title=Assyria and Syria: Synonyms|journal=Journal of Assyrian Academic Studies|year=1997|volume=11|number=2|pages=30–36|url=http://www.jaas.org/edocs/v11n2/frye.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713125829/http://www.jaas.org/edocs/v11n2/frye.pdf|archive-date=2020-07-13}}
* {{Cite journal|last=Frye|first=Richard N.|author-link=Richard N. Frye|title=Reply to John Joseph|journal=Journal of Assyrian Academic Studies|year=1999|volume=13|number=1|pages=69-70|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711213743/http://www.jaas.org/edocs/v13n1/frye.pdf}}
* {{Cite journal|last=Frye|first=Richard N.|author-link=Richard N. Frye|title=Reply to John Joseph|journal=Journal of Assyrian Academic Studies|year=1999|volume=13|number=1|pages=69–70|url=http://www.jaas.org/edocs/v13n1/frye.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711213743/http://www.jaas.org/edocs/v13n1/frye.pdf|archive-date=2020-07-11}}
* ''Greater Iran'', Mazda Publishers, 2005, {{ISBN|1-56859-177-2}}
* ''Greater Iran'', Mazda Publishers, 2005, {{ISBN|1-56859-177-2}}
* ''Ibn Fadlan's Journey To Russia'', 2005, Markus Wiener Publisher, {{ISBN|1-55876-366-X}}
* ''Ibn Fadlan's Journey To Russia'', 2005, Markus Wiener Publisher, {{ISBN|1-55876-366-X}}


==See also==
==See also==
* [[List of Iranians#Famous Americans in Iran|Famous Americans in Iran]]
* [[List of Iranians#Americans in Iran|Famous Americans in Iran]]
* [[Iranian Studies|Iranistics]]
* [[Iranian Studies|Iranistics]]


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==External links==
==External links==
*[http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:nmOLcqVpt4AJ:www.mehrnews.ir/en/NewsDetail.aspx%3FNewsID%3D92660+Mehr+News+Agency+Kudos+July+2004/07/05&hl=en&lr=&strip=1 Iranians pay tribute to Richard Nelson Frye], ''Mehr News Agency'', July 5, 2004.
*[http://www.mehrnews.ir/en/NewsDetail.aspx?NewsID=92660+Mehr+News+Agency+Kudos+July+2004/07/05 Iranians pay tribute to Richard Nelson Frye]{{dead link|date=February 2024|bot=medic}}, ''Mehr News Agency'', July 5, 2004.
* Waghmar, Burzine. Obituary: Richard Nelson Frye (1920–2014). ''Societas Iranologica Europaea'' [http://www.societasiranologicaeu.org/content/news.html].
* Waghmar, Burzine. Obituary: Richard Nelson Frye (1920–2014). ''Societas Iranologica Europaea'' [http://www.societasiranologicaeu.org/content/news.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181210013040/http://www.societasiranologicaeu.org/content/news.html |date=2018-12-10 }}.
*[http://www.payvand.com/news/05/apr/1127.html Professor Frye, a great American Iranologist wills to be buried in Iran] [https://web.archive.org/web/20060223023921/http://www.persianmirror.com/community/2005/opinion/opinionRichardFRye.cfm another]
*[http://www.payvand.com/news/05/apr/1127.html Professor Frye, a great American Iranologist wills to be buried in Iran] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051012210038/http://www.payvand.com/news/05/apr/1127.html |date=2005-10-12 }} [https://web.archive.org/web/20060223023921/http://www.persianmirror.com/community/2005/opinion/opinionRichardFRye.cfm another]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20050413153303/http://www.iran-heritage.org/interestgroups/frye-speech.htm Dr. Frye's statements at UCLA in March 2005]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20050413153303/http://www.iran-heritage.org/interestgroups/frye-speech.htm Dr. Frye's statements at UCLA in March 2005]
*[http://www.parstimes.com/events/frye_gallery.html Photos of Dr. Frye's lecture at UCLA, March 13, 2005]
*[http://www.parstimes.com/events/frye_gallery.html Photos of Dr. Frye's lecture at UCLA, March 13, 2005]
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*[https://web.archive.org/web/20051124233202/http://www.iran-heritage.org/interestgroups/frye.htm Dr. Frye's page at the ''Iran Heritage'' website]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20051124233202/http://www.iran-heritage.org/interestgroups/frye.htm Dr. Frye's page at the ''Iran Heritage'' website]
*[http://www.vohuman.org/Author/Frye,RichardNelson.htm Dr. Frye's page at the ''Vohuman.org'']
*[http://www.vohuman.org/Author/Frye,RichardNelson.htm Dr. Frye's page at the ''Vohuman.org'']
*[http://www.payvand.com/news/03/dec/1146.html Former President of Iran Mr. Khatami praised Dr. Frye]
*[http://www.payvand.com/news/03/dec/1146.html Former President of Iran Mr. Khatami praised Dr. Frye] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202020436/http://www.payvand.com/news/03/dec/1146.html |date=2017-02-02 }}
*[http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=23003&sectionid=351020105 Ahmadinejad says 'Yes' to Prof. Frye]
*Frye, R. N. [http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/med/fryehst.html Reforms of Khosrow Anoushirvan, the Sasanian Shahanshah of Iran], ''The History of Ancient Iran'', 1983.
*Frye, R. N. [http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/med/fryehst.html Reforms of Khosrow Anoushirvan, the Sasanian Shahanshah of Iran], ''The History of Ancient Iran'', 1983.
*{{YouTube|_KesgkBziUs}} Syria and Assyria
*{{YouTube|_KesgkBziUs}} Syria and Assyria
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080425054456/http://ocpcmagazine.com/thismonthapril08/thismonth.html Cover story on Dr. Frye in OCPC magazine]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080425054456/http://ocpcmagazine.com/thismonthapril08/thismonth.html Cover story on Dr. Frye in OCPC magazine]
*Frye, R. N. [http://www.azargoshnasp.net/Iran/ethnicidentityinIranfrye.pdf "Ethnic Identity in Iran." 2002.]
*Frye, R. N. [http://www.azargoshnasp.net/Iran/ethnicidentityinIranfrye.pdf "Ethnic Identity in Iran." 2002.]
*Prof. Richard Frye’s Memoirs in Persian [https://financialtribune.com/articles/art-and-culture/93489/prof-richard-frye-s-memoirs-in-persian]
*Prof. Richard Frye's Memoirs in Persian [https://financialtribune.com/articles/art-and-culture/93489/prof-richard-frye-s-memoirs-in-persian]
{{Harvard-CA}}
{{Harvard-CA}}


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[[Category:Iranologists]]
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Latest revision as of 00:00, 24 May 2024

"Richard Frye" redirects here. For the autism researcher, see Richard E. Frye.
Richard N. Frye
Born
Richard Nelson Frye

(1920-01-10)January 10, 1920
Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
DiedMarch 27, 2014(2014-03-27) (aged 94)
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Alma materUniversity of Illinois
Harvard University
AwardsFarabi International Award
Khwarizmi International Award
Scientific career
FieldsIranian studies
InstitutionsGoethe University Frankfurt
University of Hamburg
Shiraz University
Tajik State National University
Harvard University
Academic advisorsArthur Pope
Walter Bruno Henning
Notable studentsFrank Huddle
John Limbert
Michael Crichton
Richard Cottam
Richard Bulliet
Roy Mottahedeh
Jamsheed Choksy

Richard Nelson Frye (January 10, 1920 – March 27, 2014) was an American scholar of Iranian and Central Asian studies, and Aga Khan Professor Emeritus of Iranian Studies at Harvard University.[1][2] His professional areas of interest were Iranian philology and the history of Iran and Central Asia before 1000 CE.

Born in Birmingham, Alabama, to a family of immigrants from Sweden, "Freij" had four children, his second marriage being to a scholar, who teaches at Columbia University. He spoke fluent Russian, German, Arabic, Persian, Pashto, French, Uzbek, and Turkish,[3] and had extensive knowledge of Avestan, Pahlavi, Sogdian, and other Iranian languages and dialects, both extinct and current.[citation needed]

Although Frye is mostly known for his works about Iran, the Iranian peoples and Iranian Central Asia, the scope of his studies was much wider and includes Byzantine, Caucasian, and Ottoman history, Eastern Turkistan, Assyria and the Assyrian people, ancient and medieval Iranian art, Islamic art, Sufism, Chinese and Japanese archeology, and a variety of Iranian and non-Iranian languages including Avestan, Old Persian, Middle Persian, Parthian, Sogdian, Khotanese, and Bactrian, New Persian, Arabic, Turkish, and even Chinese, beside research languages which include French, German, Italian, and Russian.[4]

Early life and career

[edit]

Frye was born in Birmingham, Alabama. He first attended the University of Illinois, where he received a BA in history and philosophy in 1939. He received his MA from Harvard University in 1940 and his PhD from Harvard in 1946, in Asiatic history.[citation needed]

Frye served with the Office of Strategic Services during World War II. He was stationed in Afghanistan and traveled extensively in the Middle East, Central Asia, and South Asia. In 1948, he visited Sar Masshad, and was the first European to find and report the existence of the Gur-e Dokhtar tomb (meaning "Tomb of the Maiden" in Persian).

He returned to Harvard to teach. He was a member of the Harvard faculty from 1948 to 1990. He then became a professor emeritus at Harvard. He also served as faculty, guest lecturer, or visiting scholar at the following:

Professor Frye helped found the Center for Middle Eastern Studies[5] at Harvard, the first Iranian studies program in America. He also served as Director of the Asia Institute in Shiraz (1970–1975), was on the Board of Trustees of the Pahlavi University at Shiraz (1974–1978), and Chairman, Committee on Inner Asian Studies, at Harvard (1983–1989), and as Editor of the Bulletin of the Asia Institute (1970–1975 and 1987–1999).

Among Frye's students were Annemarie Schimmel,[6] Oleg Grabar,[7] Frank Huddle (former US Ambassador to Tajikistan), John Limbert, and Michael Crichton, whose Hollywood film The 13th Warrior is loosely based on Frye's translation of Ibn Fadlan's account of his travels up the Volga River.[8]

Frye was also directly responsible for inviting Iranian scholars as distinguished visiting fellows to Harvard University, under a fellowship program initiated by Henry Kissinger. Examples of such guests include Mehdi Haeri Yazdi (1923–1999), Sadegh Choubak, Jalal al Ahmad, and others.[9]

Proponent of Persian culture

[edit]

Frye felt that Persian civilization was under-appreciated by other Muslims, particularly Arabs. Frye wrote:

Arabs no longer understand the role of Iran and the Persian language in the formation of Islamic culture. Perhaps they wish to forget the past, but in so doing they remove the bases of their own spiritual, moral and cultural being... without the heritage of the past and a healthy respect for it... there is little chance for stability and proper growth.

— R. N. Frye, The Golden Age of Persia, London: Butler & Tanner Ltd., 1989, page 236

In August 1953, shortly before the fall of Mosaddegh, the prominent Iranian linguist Ali Akbar Dehkhoda gave Frye the title "Irandoost" (meaning 'iranophile').[10]

The Qavam House, where the famous Shiraz University Asia Institute was founded. Frye headed the institute from 1969 to 1974.

In addition, Frye was a long-standing supporter of Assyrian continuity, and valued the historical and ancestral connection between modern Assyrians and the Ancient Mesopotamians.[11]

A ceremony was held in Iran on June 27, 2004, to pay tribute to the six-decade endeavors of Frye on his lifetime contribution to Iranian Studies, research work on the Persian language, and the history and culture of Iran.

In his will, Frye expressed his wish to be buried next to the Zayandeh River in Isfahan. The request was approved by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in September 2007.[12] Two other American scholars of Iranian Studies, Arthur Pope and Phyllis Ackerman, are already buried there. In 2010 the Iranian government gave a house in Isfahan to Professor Frye in recognition of his services to Iranian studies.[13]

On June 8, 2014, the family of Frye decided to cremate his remains after waiting more than two months for official Iranian permission to bury him in Isfahan. His death coincided with growing resentment by Iranian hardliners over signs of reconciliation with the United States after decades of estrangement. It is not clear what the family intended to do with his ashes.[14]

Richard Foltz dedicated his book A History of the Tajiks: Iranians of the East to Frye's memory.[15]

Public speaker

[edit]

Frye was a popular public speaker at numerous Iran-related gatherings. In 2005, he spoke at UCLA and encouraged the Iranians present to cherish their culture and identity.[16][17] In 2004, he spoke at an architectural conference in Tehran and expressed his dismay at hasty modernization that ignores the beauties of traditional Iranian architectural styles (see Architecture of Tehran).[citation needed]

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Notes on the Early Coinage of Transoxania; Numismatic Notes, 113, American Numismatic Association, New York 1949
  • The Near East and the Great Powers, Harvard University Press, 1951
  • Iran, George Allen and Unwin, London, 1960
  • The Heritage of Persia: The pre-Islamic History of One of the World's Great Civilizations, World Publishing Company, New York, 1963. Reprinted by Mazda Publishers, 2004. www.mazdapublishers.com
  • Bukhara: The Medieval Achievement, University of Oklahoma Press, 1965. Reprinted by Mazda Publishers, 1997. www.mazdapublishers.com
  • The Histories of Nishapur, Harvard University Press, (Harvard Oriental Series, 45) 1965
  • Corpus Inscriptionum Iranicarum, vol. III, Dura-Europos, London, 1968
  • Persia (3rd edition) Allen and Unwin, London, 1969
  • The United States and Turkey and Iran, Archon Books, 1971
  • Sasanian Remains from Qasr-i Abu Nasr. Seals, Sealings, and Coins, Harvard University Press, 1973
  • Neue Methodologie in der Iranistik, Wiesbaden, 1974
  • The Golden Age Of Persia: The Arabs in the East, Weidenfeld & Nicolson, London, 1988
  • Frye, Richard N. (1992). "Assyria and Syria: Synonyms". Journal of Near Eastern Studies. 51 (4): 281–285. doi:10.1086/373570. JSTOR 545826. S2CID 161323237.
  • The heritage of Central Asia from antiquity to the Turkish expansion Markus Wiener, Princeton, 1996
  • Frye, Richard N. (1997). "Assyria and Syria: Synonyms" (PDF). Journal of Assyrian Academic Studies. 11 (2): 30–36. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-07-13.
  • Frye, Richard N. (1999). "Reply to John Joseph" (PDF). Journal of Assyrian Academic Studies. 13 (1): 69–70. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-07-11.
  • Greater Iran, Mazda Publishers, 2005, ISBN 1-56859-177-2
  • Ibn Fadlan's Journey To Russia, 2005, Markus Wiener Publisher, ISBN 1-55876-366-X

See also

[edit]
Other notable scholars of Iranian studies
Mehrdad Bahar
Mary Boyce
Roman Ghirshman
Michael Roaf
James R. Russell
Erich Schmidt
Alireza Shapour Shahbazi
David Stronach
Ahmad Tafazzoli
Ehsan Yarshater
Abdolhossein Zarrinkoub

References

[edit]
  1. ^ http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~turkish/relfaculty.html Richard Nelson Frye, Aga Khan Professor of Iranian-Emeritus Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations
  2. ^ "Harvard IOHP | Richard N. Frye Transcripts".
  3. ^ Greater Iran, Mazda Publishers, 2005. ISBN 1-56859-177-2
  4. ^ Yarshater, Ehsan (March 31, 2014). "Richard Nelson Frye (January 10,1920 – March 27, 2014)". Encyclopædia Iranica. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  5. ^ Kafadar, Cemal (November 22, 2005). "Crossing Boundaries: Remapping the Study of Middle East History". Harvard University Center for Middle Eastern Studies. Archived from the original on May 18, 2008.
  6. ^ Greater Iran, Mazda Publishers, 2005. ISBN 1-56859-177-2 p.193
  7. ^ Big Ideas. Big Thinkers. Oleg Grabar | Thirteen/WNET
  8. ^ Greater Iran, Mazda Publishers, 2005. ISBN 1-56859-177-2 p.90, p.150
  9. ^ Greater Iran, Mazda Publishers, 2005. ISBN 1-56859-177-2 p. 103, p.174
  10. ^ Greater Iran, Mazda Publishers, 2005. ISBN 1-56859-177-2 p. 142
  11. ^ http://www.aina.org/articles/frye.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  12. ^ Ahmadinejad allows burial of American professor in Iran, The Associated Press, Published: September 13, 2007.
  13. ^ "Ahmadinejad donates house in Isfahan to American Iranologist".
  14. ^ Iran: Harvard Scholar’s Body Cremated After Request for Burial in Iran Falters, The New York Times, Published: June 24, 2014.
  15. ^ Foltz, Richard (2019). A History of the Tajiks: Iranians of the East. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 978-1784539559.
  16. ^ Iran Heritage Archived 2005-04-13 at the Wayback Machine
  17. ^ Professor Richard Nelson Frye Lecture at UCLA Royce Hall – March 13, 2005
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