Ebrāhim Pourdāvoud (9 February 1885 – 17 November 1968) was a distinguished Iranian scholar, Iranologist, philologist, and professor of Ancient Iranian Culture and Avestan Studies at the University of Tehran. Born in Rasht into a respected merchant and landowning family, he became one of the most influential scholars of Iranian studies in the twentieth century. He is best known for producing the first comprehensive Persian translation and commentary of the Avesta, making ancient Iranian religious and cultural heritage accessible to modern readers.

Education
Pourdāvoud received his early education in Rasht, where he studied Persian and Arabic. He later moved to Tehran and studied traditional medicine under prominent scholars. Seeking further education, he traveled to Beirut to learn French language and literature, and subsequently enrolled in the Faculty of Law at the University of Paris. His later years in Germany, particularly his association with renowned Orientalists such as Josef Markwart, inspired him to devote his career to the study of Ancient Iran, Avestan, and Middle Persian languages.

Activities and Works
Pourdāvoud played a pioneering role in establishing modern Iranian studies within Iran. He taught Avestan language, Ancient Iranian civilization, and Old Iranian inscriptions at the University of Tehran and was a permanent member of the Academy of Iran. He also founded the Iranology Society in Tehran.

His major works include:

Persian translations and commentaries of the Gathas, Yashts, Yasna, Khordeh Avesta, and Visperad
Iranshah
Khorramshah
Soshyans
Ancient Iranian Culture (Farhang-e Iran Bastan)
Hormozd-nameh
Anahita (Fifty Essays)
Khuzestan-e Ma
Bijan and Manizheh
Fereydun
Zin Abzar
He was also an accomplished poet whose notable literary works include Purandokht-nameh and Yazdegerd Shahriyar.

Achievements and Awards
Pioneer of Avestan studies and modern Iranology in Iran
First scholar to translate the Avesta comprehensively into Persian
Permanent member of the Academy of Iran
Distinguished Professor of the University of Tehran
Recipient of the Tagore Medal from India
Recipient of the Order of Saint Sylvester from the Vatican
Member of the World Academy of Art and Science
Mentor to prominent scholars such as Mohammad Mo’in, Ehsan Yarshater, Bahram Farahvashi, and Manouchehr Sotoudeh
Founder of the Iranology Society and a key figure in reviving the study of Ancient Iranian culture and languages