# Encyclopædia Iranica

> encyclopedia about the history, culture, and civilization of Iranian peoples

**Wikidata**: [Q1139550](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1139550)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encyclopædia_Iranica)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/encyclopdia-iranica

## Summary
Encyclopædia Iranica is an English-language encyclopedia focused on the history, culture, and civilization of Iranian peoples. It was founded by Ehsan Yarshater, published by Columbia University, and is available in both print (hardcover) and an online edition (ISSN 2330-4804).

## Key Facts
- Inception: 1970.
- Founder: Ehsan Yarshater.
- Editor‑in‑chief: Ehsan Yarshater (start 1973, end 2018).
- Publication period (print/serial): 1982–2020 (qualified publication_date).
- Publisher: Columbia University.
- Genre: encyclopedia; main subject: Iranian studies.
- Language: English.
- ISSN (online): 2330-4804 (ISSN_L: 2330-4804); qualifier: online publication.
- Website (preferred, English): http://www.iranicaonline.org; archived site variations include wayback.archive-it.org captures of iranicaonline.org and iranica.com.
- Distribution format (print): hardcover.
- Editors (other named editors): Nicholas Sims-Williams, Ahmad Ashraf, Habib Borjian, Mohsen Ashtiany.
- Instance of: website.
- OCLC number: 59605200.
- Aliases: iranicaonline.org; Encyclopaedia Iranica; Encyclopedia Iranica; Enciclopedia Iránica; Enciclopedia Iranica; Encylopaedia Iranica; Iranica; Encyclopédia Iranica; EIr; EncIr.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Encyclopædia Iranica?
A: Encyclopædia Iranica is an English-language encyclopedia dedicated to the history, culture, and civilization of Iranian peoples. It is published by Columbia University and is available in print and as an online publication (ISSN 2330-4804).

### Q: Who founded and edited Encyclopædia Iranica?
A: The encyclopedia was founded by Ehsan Yarshater. He served as editor‑in‑chief from 1973 until 2018. Other named editors include Nicholas Sims‑Williams, Ahmad Ashraf, Habib Borjian, and Mohsen Ashtiany.

### Q: Where can I access Encyclopædia Iranica?
A: The preferred online access point is http://www.iranicaonline.org (English). Print distribution is available in hardcover format. The online edition carries ISSN 2330-4804.

## Why It Matters
Encyclopædia Iranica provides a focused reference resource on Iranian studies by collecting scholarly entries about the history, culture, and civilization of Iranian peoples. Founded in 1970 and published from 1982 onward, the project combines a long-running print presence with an online edition, offering both hardcover distribution and an online ISSNed publication. Its establishment and long editorial stewardship by Ehsan Yarshater underline its sustained academic orientation. Published by Columbia University and produced in English, the work targets researchers, students, and readers seeking specialized, subject‑focused information on Iranian-related topics. The formal identifiers (ISSN 2330-4804, OCLC 59605200) and archived web captures indicate institutional publication and continued digital availability, which support citation, discovery, and preservation of its entries within the field of Iranian studies.

## Notable For
- Specialized focus on the history, culture, and civilization of Iranian peoples (main subject: Iranian studies).
- Long-standing editorial leadership by founder Ehsan Yarshater (editor‑in‑chief 1973–2018).
- Published by Columbia University and issued in both hardcover and an online edition (ISSN 2330-4804).
- Presence as both a hosted website (iranicaonline.org) and a serialized publication with formal bibliographic identifiers (ISSN, OCLC).

## Body
### Identity and scope
- Title: Encyclopædia Iranica.
- Wikidata description: encyclopedia about the history, culture, and civilization of Iranian peoples.
- Genre: encyclopedia.
- Main subject: Iranian studies.
- Language of work or name: English.

### Creation and publication
- Inception (project start): 1970.
- Founder: Ehsan Yarshater.
- Editor‑in‑chief: Ehsan Yarshater (start_time: 1973; end_time: 2018).
- Publication_date (qualified): start 1982; end 2020 (as recorded).
- Publisher: Columbia University.
- Distribution_format: hardcover.

### Editorial staff
- Named editors: Nicholas Sims‑Williams; Ahmad Ashraf; Habib Borjian; Mohsen Ashtiany.

### Formats and identifiers
- Instance_of: website (online edition).
- ISSN (online): 2330-4804; ISSN_L: 2330-4804; qualifier indicates online publication and label "Encyclopædia Iranica (Online)".
- OCLC number: 59605200.
- HAL journal id: 106288.
- Freebase id: /m/044b_q.
- Main Wikidata property: P3021.

### Online presence and aliases
- Preferred website (English): http://www.iranicaonline.org.
- Archived captures listed: wayback.archive-it.org entries for iranicaonline.org and iranica.com.
- Aliases and alternative names: iranicaonline.org; Encyclopaedia Iranica; Encyclopedia Iranica; Enciclopedia Iránica; Enciclopedia Iranica; Encylopaedia Iranica; Iranica; Encyclopédia Iranica; EIr; EncIr.

### Metadata and ancillary data
- Country of origin: United States.
- Place of publication: United States.
- Instance classification: website and printed encyclopedia.
- Sitlink counts recorded in source material: 42 (general sitelink_count); related "website [class]" entry shows inception 1990 and sitelink_count 158 (related web pages served from a single domain).

## References

1. ISSN Portal
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013