Full Name: Iraj Afshar Date of Birth: October 8, 1925 (16 Mehr 1304) Place of Birth: Yazd, Iran Date of Death: March 8, 2011 (18 Esfand 1389) Place of Death: Tehran, Iran Fields of Expertise: Manuscript studies, librarianship, bibliography, historiography, Iranian studies, cultural research

Education and Early Career Iraj Afshar was born into a scholarly and culturally rich family in Yazd, Iran. His father, Mohammad Hossein Afshar Yazdi, was one of the pioneers of modern education in Yazd, contributing significantly to the establishment of new schools in the city. Growing up in such an environment, Afshar developed a deep interest in knowledge, books, and manuscripts. In 1945 (1324 SH), he moved to Tehran to pursue higher education. He enrolled in the Faculty of Law at the University of Tehran, where he graduated with a degree in Law. Despite his legal education, Afshar decided not to pursue a career as a lawyer. Instead, he chose to follow his passion for librarianship and manuscript studies, a path that would make him one of Iran's most prominent cultural figures.