Ahmad Shamlou

12 December 1925 – 23 July 2000

Ahmad Shamlou (1925–2000) was an Iranian poet, writer and journalist, one of the most influential figures of modern Persian free verse. Author of more than a dozen poetry collections, he also translated widely, edited literary magazines and compiled the multi-volume encyclopaedia of Iranian folklore Ketab-e Koucheh (The Book of the Alley). He spent periods in prison and in exile before returning to Iran after the 1979 revolution.

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Life events

Born in Tehran, Iran
12 December 1925

Born in Tehran to an army officer's family and spent much of his childhood in provincial towns because of his father's postings.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Imprisoned for political activity during the Allied occupation of Iran
1943 – 1944

Arrested in Tehran and held by Allied forces for about a year, ending his formal schooling.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Published his first poetry collection, Forgotten Songs
1947

Ahang-ha-ye faramush shodeh (Forgotten Songs) was published in Tehran while he was working as a journalist.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Imprisoned after the 1953 coup
1954 – 1955

Detained for over a year for his political sympathies following the overthrow of Mohammad Mosaddegh's government.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Published Fresh Air (Hava-ye tazeh)
1957

The collection Hava-ye tazeh established his reputation as a leading modernist poet and marked his break with classical Persian metre.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Married Aida Sarkisian
1964

Married Aida Sarkisian, his third wife, who became the subject of several collections including Aida in the Mirror and remained his companion until his death.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Left Iran for the United States
1977

Moved abroad in protest against conditions under the Shah, living in the United States and then Britain, where he edited the weekly Iranshahr in London.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Returned to Iran after the revolution
1979

Came back to Tehran shortly after the 1979 revolution and resumed publishing and editing there.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Received the Stig Dagerman Prize
1999

Awarded the Swedish Stig Dagerman Prize for his contribution to literature and free expression.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Died in Karaj, Iran
23 July 2000

Died at his home in Karaj after a long illness and was buried at Imamzadeh Taher cemetery.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓