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Abraham Valentine Williams Jackson (1862-1937), American Scholar, a
great authority on Zoroastrian religion, ancient Persian history,
language, and literature, Jackson was born in New York City, he taught at
Columbia University (1895-1935).
Jackson traveled to Persia (Iran) twice. The main purpose of his
first trip was to meet Zoroastrians living in Iran and study their customs
and religion . His book "Persia, Past and Present" is and elaborate
travelogue of this trip. On his second trip to Iran took him to northern
parts of the country. He published his book "From Constantinople to the
Home of Omar Khayam," after this trip. Jackson's second trip ended in the
city of Mashad in north-eastern Iran where he meet Sir Percy Sykes. The
two scholars traveled to Tus to visit the tomb of the most well known Iran
poem, Ferdowsi, the composer of Shahnameh.
Jackson's travels took him to India where he meet Parsis, Zoroastrians
living in India. He studied their religious practice and customs.
Abraham Jackson made numerous contribution to the field of Zoroastrian and
ancient Persian History. Throughout his academic life he published several
books on these subject which are listed below.
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Avesta Reader
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Avesta Grammar
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Early Persian Poetry
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From Constantinople to the home of Omar Khayam
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History of India (nine volumes)
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Persia, Past and Present
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Priyadarsika, A Sanskrit Drama by Harsha
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Research in Manichaeism
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The Nyaishes or Zoroastrian Litanies
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Zoroaster, the prophet of ancient Iran
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Zoroastrian Studies
He
published several articles such as the one on Zoroastrians in National
Geographic, 1910; and wrote introduction to English translation of "The
Dabistan or School of Manners" book.
Jacksons' contribution to Zoroastrian and ancient Persian studies has been
so immense that his mark will remain on this field for a long time.
Articles:
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The Cypress of Kashmar and Zoroaster
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The Oil Fields and the Fire Temple of Baku
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The Zoroastrian Doctrine of the Freedom of the
Will (Part 1)
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The Zoroastrians of Yezd
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