2010 Farhang Heritage Award Honoree

Dr. Richard Nelson Frye

Dr. Richard Nelson Frye, is the recipient of the 2010 Farhang Foundation Heritage Award, and is widely regarded as the "dean of the world's Iranists," a fitting tribute from his peers in the field of Iranian studies. For over six decades, Dr. Frye's scholarship and teaching at Harvard University have profoundly influenced the understanding of Iran, Central Asia, and the Near East.

His expansive body of work spans the entire spectrum of Iranian studies and the cultural history of Iran and its neighboring regions across centuries. Early in his career, Dr. Frye was honored with the title "Irandoost," or Iranophile, by the editor of the monumental Persian dictionary, Dehkhoda, a title that has adorned his office door at Harvard ever since.

Dr. Frye's contributions extend beyond academia. He served as Director of the Asia Institute in Shiraz for five years, succeeding Arthur Upham Pope, renowned editor of the Survey of Persian Art. His lectures in Persian at universities in Tehran and Isfahan have advocated for the separation of religion and state, grounding this argument in Iran's historical foundations dating back to the establishment of the Iranian state circa 550 BC.

Having earned his PhD in history and philology from Harvard in 1946, Dr. Frye joined the faculty in 1948 and later held the prestigious title of Aga Khan Professor of Iranian Studies. Throughout his career, he has illuminated the richness of Iranian cultural heritage and fostered a deeper appreciation for its contributions to world history and civilization.

Farhang Foundation's recognition of Dr. Frye with the Heritage Award celebrated his unparalleled dedication to scholarship, his transformative impact on Iranian studies, and his lifelong commitment to promoting cross-cultural understanding. His legacy continues to inspire and shape the field, leaving an enduring mark on generations of scholars and enthusiasts of Iranian history and culture worldwide.