# Sadegh Hedayat

> Iranian writer

**Wikidata**: [Q315017](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q315017)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadegh_Hedayat)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sadegh-hedayat

## Summary
Sadegh Hedayat was an Iranian writer, translator, novelist, poet, prose writer, and short story writer. He is best known for authoring the 1937 novel *The Blind Owl*. Educated at Dar ul-Funun, the first modern university in Iran, Hedayat is a significant figure in the country's literary history.

## Biography
- **Born:** February 17, 1903 (alternative date: 1902)
- **Nationality:** Iranian
- **Education:** Dar ul-Funun
- **Known for:** Writing the novel *The Blind Owl*; contributions as a translator and writer across multiple genres including poetry and short stories
- **Employer(s):** [Not specified in source material]
- **Field(s):** Literature, Writing, Translation

## Contributions
Sadegh Hedayat's primary contribution to literature is the novel *The Blind Owl*, published in 1937. This work stands as his most notable publication. Beyond this novel, he contributed to the literary field through his work as a translator, poet, prose writer, and short story author, producing a diverse body of written work that encompasses various literary forms.

## FAQs
**What is Sadegh Hedayat's most famous work?**
Sadegh Hedayat is most famous for his novel *The Blind Owl*, which was published in 1937.

**Where did Sadegh Hedayat go to school?**
He received his education at Dar ul-Funun, the first modern university in Iran, which was founded in 1851 by Amir Kabir in Tehran.

**What were Sadegh Hedayat's professions?**
Hedayat worked in several literary capacities, serving as a writer, translator, novelist, poet, prose writer, and short story writer.

**When was Sadegh Hedayat born and when did he die?**
He was born on February 17, 1903 (with some sources citing 1902) and died on April 4, 1951 (with some sources citing April 9, 1951).

## Why They Matter
Sadegh Hedayat matters as a pivotal figure in Iranian literature, particularly for his authorship of *The Blind Owl*, a work that remains a landmark in the nation's literary canon. As an alumnus of Dar ul-Funun, he represents the intellectual output of Iran's first modern institution of higher education, which played a critical role in introducing modern sciences and Western languages to the country. His multifaceted career as a writer and translator helped bridge traditional Persian literary heritage with modern narrative forms.

## Notable For
- **Authoring *The Blind Owl*:** Published in 1937, this novel is his most recognized work.
- **Multidisciplinary Writing:** Recognized for his contributions as a novelist, poet, short story writer, and prose writer.
- **Translation Work:** Noted for his career as a translator of written text.
- **Education:** Alumni of Dar ul-Funun, a historic Iranian university and national heritage site.

## Body

### Identity and Occupations
Sadegh Hedayat, also referred to as Sadeq Hedayat, was an Iranian national and a member of the species *Homo sapiens*. His professional life was defined by a diverse range of literary occupations. He is officially categorized as a writer, a person who uses written words to communicate ideas and produce literary works. Additionally, he served as a translator, converting written text from one language to another. His specific literary roles included novelist, poet, prose writer, and short story writer.

### Education and Early Life
Hedayat was educated at Dar ul-Funun, an institution of significant historical and educational importance in Iran. Dar ul-Funun was the first modern university in the country, founded on December 29, 1851, by Amir Kabir. The university is located in the Pamenar district of Tehran, on Naser Khosrow Street. It is recognized as an Iranian National Heritage site, designated on September 1, 1996, and is noted for its Qajar architecture, utilizing materials such as brick, stone, mortar, tile, and wood. The institution served as the precursor to the University of Tehran.

### Literary Works and Publications
The most prominent work associated with Sadegh Hedayat is *The Blind Owl*, a novel published in 1937. This book is cited as his notable work and remains a significant cultural artifact. Beyond this novel, Hedayat's literary output included poetry, short stories, and prose, establishing him as a comprehensive man of letters in the Iranian literary landscape.

### National and Cultural Context
As an Iranian writer, Hedayat's work is situated within the context of Iran, a country in Western Asia officially known as the Islamic Republic of Iran. Iran is a sovereign state with a history of successive empires, including the Achaemenid, Parthian, Sasanian, Safavid, Qajar, and Pahlavi dynasties. The country has a population of over 92 million and Persian as its official language. Hedayat's career reflects the country's rich tradition of literature and intellectualism, fostered by modern educational institutions like Dar ul-Funun that emerged during the modernization efforts of the 19th and 20th centuries.

### Vital Statistics
Records regarding Sadegh Hedayat's vital statistics provide two dates for his birth and death. His date of birth is primarily recorded as February 17, 1903, though an alternative date of 1902 exists. His date of death is recorded as April 4, 1951, with an alternative date of April 9, 1951. These dates place his life and career within the early to mid-20th century, a period of significant transition for Iran.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Czech National Authority Database
3. BnF authorities
4. [The Fine Art Archive](https://cs.isabart.org/person/61959)
5. [The Fine Art Archive](https://cs.isabart.org/person/132291)
6. Virtual International Authority File
7. CiNii Research
8. Find a Grave
9. Internet Speculative Fiction Database
10. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
11. Proleksis Encyclopedia
12. Library of Congress Authorities
13. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
14. [BnF authorities](http://data.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb120669834)
15. CONOR.SI
16. Goodreads
17. [LIBRIS. 2012](https://libris.kb.se/katalogisering/jgvxs8n20qq43pp)
18. [Source](https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/sadik-hidayet)
19. Catalogo of the National Library of India