Kamran Fani, a distinguished Iranian translator, bibliographer, librarian, and encyclopedist, passed away on Saturday, 13 December 2025, at the age of 81, following a prolonged illness. Reports confirmed by multiple reputable Persian-language and international media outlets indicate that Fani had been living with Alzheimer’s disease in recent years.
Born on 14 April 1944 in Qazvin, Fani was widely regarded as one of the most authoritative figures in Iran’s modern intellectual and scholarly landscape, particularly in the fields of library science, bibliographic classification, and encyclopedic studies. His work set enduring professional standards for accuracy, methodological rigor, and scholarly integrity.
Academic Background
Fani entered the University of Tehran Faculty of Medicine in 1962 but changed his academic path after two years, choosing to pursue Persian Language and Literature. He graduated from the Faculty of Letters, University of Tehran, in 1968 and later earned a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from the same institution. Among his professors were some of Iran’s most prominent literary scholars, including Abdolhossein Zarrinkoub, Zabihollah Safa, Parviz Natel Khanlari, Badi‘ozaman Forouzanfar, and Jalal al-Din Homai.
Encyclopedias and Reference Works
A major part of Fani’s professional life was devoted to the editing, supervision, and authorship of large-scale reference projects. He played a key role in the development and publication of major works such as the Encyclopaedia of Children and Young Adults, Encyclopaedia of Shi‘a Islam, Encyclopaedia of the Islamic World, Encyclopaedia of Democracy, and the ongoing Daneshgostar Encyclopaedia, of which 18 volumes have been published to date.
In the field of library science, his works—including Persian Subject Headings, Classification of Iranian History, and Classification of Islamic Philosophy—remain foundational references for librarians and researchers across Iran.
Literary Translation
Alongside his scholarly career, Fani was an accomplished literary translator. His translations included major works by Anton Chekhov, such as The Seagull and Three Sisters, as well as translations of texts by Fyodor Dostoevsky, Günter Grass, and Karel Čapek. In a public talk published years earlier, Fani stated that his body of work comprised nearly 300 articles and 24 books, either authored or translated.
Professional Roles and Recognition
Fani was an Honorary Member of the Academy of Persian Language and Literature, a member of the editorial board of the Encyclopaedia of Shi‘a Islam, a trustee of the Iranian Parliament Library, and a member of the Supreme Council of the Centre for the Great Islamic Encyclopaedia. These roles reflected his central position in Iran’s institutional efforts to preserve and systematize written cultural heritage.
Public Reaction
News of his deteriorating health had drawn public attention earlier in 2025, when reports emerged about his transfer to a senior care facility near Karaj, prompting widespread concern among cultural figures. At that time, Masoud Pezeshkian, President of Iran, instructed the head of the National Library and Archives Organization to follow up urgently on Fani’s medical care. Following his death, official statements and tributes were issued by cultural institutions and public figures.
Legacy
Kamran Fani’s death marks the loss of a quiet but foundational intellectual force in contemporary Iranian scholarship. His meticulous, behind-the-scenes labor continues to shape research practices in literature, history, and library science. For generations of scholars and readers, his legacy remains embedded in the reference works that define Iran’s modern knowledge infrastructure.
