| Since the turn of the twentieth century, after nearly one hundred years of general decline, Iran began once again to produce men of great intelligence and character who, although they differed in their individual outlook, have rendered a great service in raising the political, intellectual and cultural standards of their country. This study deals with one of these men, Sayyid Hasan Taqizadeh (1878-1970), who appeared on the scene of modern Iran around 1900, and was, in the following sixty years or so, closely involved with the affairs of his country. He was at once a staunch advocate of Western civilization, bearer of his own culture, scholar, politician, diplomat, prolific writer, speaker, teacher and journalist, but above all a patriot whose writings and activities stemmed from his great love for his country and interest in its destiny.;This thesis involves a study of the life and works of Taqizadeh against the backdrop of the events, facts, issues, ideas and ideals of his times. It examines those stimuli, internal and external, that molded his outlook and produced in him his deep-seated convictions concerning Iran. The study also attempts to show that Taqizadeh was well aware of the causes of Iran's decadence and that he made a valuable contribution to the renaissance of his country during the first half of the twentieth century. |
