Nazem al-Atebba

Mirza Ali Akbar Khan Nafisi (; 12 March 1847 – 14 June 1924), known mononymously as Nazem al-Atebba (, ), was an Iranian physician, scholar, and one of the most prominent doctors of the late Qajar era. He served as a personal physician to Mozaffar ad-Din Shah and was an influential figure in persuading the Shah to sign the Constitutional Decree of Iran.

Nazem al-Atebba played a crucial role in establishing several European-style hospitals in Tehran and Mashhad. He was also one of the founders of the first assembly of experts for health, Majles-e Hefz-e Sehhat (مجلس حفظ‌الصحة; lit. Health Preservation Council) in Iranian history.

He authored numerous medical works, and his most notable non-medical achievement is a comprehensive four-volume Persian lexicon, widely known as Farhang-e Nazem al-Atebba or Farhang-e Nafisi. He was also the father of the renowned scholar, Saeed Nafisi.

Early life and education Nafisi was born on 12 March 1847 (17 Rabi al-Thani 1263 AH) in Kerman. His father, Mirza Hassan Tabib Kermani, like his ancestors, practiced medicine. His family, known as the Nafisi family of Kerman, had been involved in medical science for several centuries, with their lineage tracing back to Burhan-ud-din Kermani,

Nafisi completed his early education in Kerman, learning the basics of sciences and medicine from his father and other doctors of the time. However, due to his natural inclination and talent, he was more interested in philosophy and theology. The governor of Kerman, Mohammad Ismail Khan Vakil al-Molk (known as Vakil al-Molk I), recognizing Mirza Ali Akbar's potential, encouraged him to pursue medical studies.

In 1865, at the age of 19, he moved to Tehran and enrolled in the Dar ul-Funun to study medicine under Joseph Désiré Tholozan.

Personal life Nazem al-Atebba first married a woman from the Dowlatshahi family, descendants of Mohammad-Ali Mirza Dowlatshah, who died at a young age, leaving him with two children.

Resources