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Literary mentions during the Ministry of Bahá’u’lláh

From Bahaipedia
For mentions in the press during this time period, see Press coverage during the Ministry of Bahá’u’lláh.

1865[edit]

Dr Jakob Polak[edit]

In 1865 Dr. Jakob Polak published his first hand account of the attempted assassination of Náṣiri’d-Dín Sháh in Das Land und seine Bewohner. It includes a significant witnessing of the death of Tahirih.[1]

Arthur Gobineau[edit]

In 1865 Frenchman Arthur de Gobineau wrote the first widely published and relatively extensive history of the religion. A third edition was printed in 1900 covering approximate pages 141-358 (217 pages) on the Bábí Faith.[2] It was the basis of much followup interest and accounts followed by others.[3] It is notable that Gobineau held significant racist views.[4][5] The work, while not very good did serve to get other scholars to follow along in their interests.[6][7] Additionally it was the main reference used for most further reports of the religion outside of direct accounts out of Persia.[3] Various attitudes and views of scholars emerged as more took note: some compared the Báb's teaching to other aspects of Persian culture or it's spread among the scholarly thinkers of Persia whether of the religious or other institutions but, more broadly speaking, most western scholars who reviewed the Faith of the Báb saw it as a way of letting in Western and Christian ideals into a closed and rigid Moslem system and giving the Báb Himself sometimes less or more credit for being authentic in the process. One might see the inkling of the favorite topic of discussion that arose based on these analyses - but not to take to heart the fact of the religion that might even relate to their own personal faith. But the reliance on the mainstream thought in Persia and penetrating that level of learning of things leads to the involvement in the troubles both of covenant-breakers and of political winds. Gobineau's review also made into newspapers - like the Chicago based Inter-Ocean, in July, 1866,[8] and others.[9]

Meanwhile EG Browne came along and managed to study things closer and published many books. Of the spread of news coverage and the attitudes of editors and readers where possible .... we continue….

Mirza Kazem-Beg[edit]

Alexander Kasimovich Kazembek published the first book as such on the Faith as "Mirza Kazem-Beg", in 1865 in Russian.[10] He joined the American Oriental Society (see above) in 1851.[11] In 1866 a version in French by him - Bab et les Babis - was printed as 219 pages across several editions of the Journal Asiatique.[12]

Abbas Amanat notes a correction at Kazem-Beg's attempt at a biographical workup of the Báb[13] claiming Kazem-Bet misidentified the father of the Quddus as the father of the Báb because one of the titles the Báb used was later transferred to Quddus.

American Annual Cyclopedia[edit]

The American Annual Cyclopedia 1865, had an entry on "Persia" and on p. 696 includes a paragraph on Bábís.[14] The section cites Gobineau, with Zeitshrift der Deutschen Morgenland, "Gesellschaft", vol v; Petermann, Reisen Im Orient, vol ii, and Polak.

Adolphe Franck[edit]

Adolphe Franck wrote wrote two papers printed in back to back issues of Journal des Savants - Nov[15] and Dec[16] 1865 - which reviewed Gobineau's works on "Babysm". Momen mentions it in The Babi and Baha'i Religions, pp. 23–24, notes it was also printed in a book in 1867 (see below.) Franck and Gobineau differed as to the originality and intensity of the Babi Faith.

John Ussher[edit]

John Ussher published a memoir in 1865 based on notes of his travels named A Journey from London to Persepolis. Pages 627-9 have a short summary of the history of the Babis typical of the period.[17] Momen mentions it in The Babi and Baha'i Religions, pp. 17 - that he traveled through Persia in 1861.

1866[edit]

Robert Grant Watson[edit]

In 1866 British diplomat Robert Grant Watson published a history of the the first 58 years of the 19th century of Persia and included 16 pages on the events of this review.[18][19] Watson makes the very point himself:

"Bábism, though at present a proscribed religion in Persia, is far from being extinct, or even declining, and the Báb may yet contest with Mahomed the privilege of being regarded as the real prophet of the faithful. Bábism in its infancy was the cause of a greater sensation than that even which was produced by the teaching of Jesus, if we may judge from the account of Josephus of the first days of Christianity. Far from foreseeing the future spread of that religion, the Jewish historian contents himself with observing — "And the tribe of Christians, so named from him (Christ), are not extinct at this day." "

Grant (b. 8 February 1834, d. 28 October 1892)[20] would serve in several diplomatic capacities[21] and may have authored the first article on the Babi/Baha'i Faiths in the Encyclopedia Britanica.

Ernest Renan[edit]

Frenchman Ernst Renan wrote The Origins of Christianity: The apostles in 1866 of which pages 299–301, 353 examines the Babis through Gobineau and Mirza Kazem-Beg and an attempt at first hand contact in Constantiniople.[22] He remarks of the Bab as "a sort of pious and modest Spinoza", "came near accomplishing a revolution like that of Mahomet".

The Nation[edit]

Momen notes (1981, p. 24) The Nation published an article "A New Religion", June 22, 1866.[23] and it served as the first then known "full" review of the Bábí Faith though it does so in only two pages. It starts by mention of Renan's work and then focuses on Gobineau's account. It was later used as the basis of, for example, Strong's Cyclopedia (see below) circa 1895 (or earlier editions?)

The Methodist Quarterly Review[edit]

A review of Gobineau in The Methodist Quarterly Review, under "Foreign Intelligence… France", 3rd paragraph, p. 467, July, 1866[24] It appears to be the origin of a series of citations of the form "Zeitshrift der Deutschen Morgenland, "Gesellschaft", vol v" used often through 1895 in Strong's entry in his cyclopedia (see below). The actual text here reads: "Hitherto but little had been published (particularly Zeitschrift der Deutschen Morgenland Geselschaft, vol v, p. 384, …etc)"

1867[edit]

New America[edit]

William Hepworth Dixon published a travel book with a history with commentary which mentions the Bab and Babees on pages 188[25] and 191–2[26] in 1867.[27]

"Confidence in the divine power to help and save them is not so much the effect of weakness and humility, as of strength and pride. Young (Brigham Young that is, -ed) puts man much higher in the scale of being than any Christian priest has ever done; higher, perhaps, than any Moslem mollah; though the Koran makes the angels dwelling in Paradise servants of the faithful who are gathered to their rest. Bab in Persia, Nanak in the Punjab, go beyond Mohammed; teaching their scholars that man is part of the personality of God; but Young describes man as an uncreated, indestructible portion of the Highest; a being with the faculty of raising an order of immortal and unbodied spirits into the exalted rank of gods.… When carried eastward to the Ganges, westward to the Guidalquiver, it was borne forward on the points of a myriad lances, not received by the people of India and of Spain on its merits as a saving faith; and, being neither a natural growth nor a free adoption in those countries, it wore itself out in Spain, while in Persia and India it has rooted itself chiefly among men of Semetic race. Nanak in the Punjba, Bab in Persia, may be said to have founded sects on a wider plan than most other religious leaders: for the Sikhs and Babees are both missionary churches taking their own from among Moslem, Buddhist, and Hindoo flocks; yet the notion of having one free and open church, which should make the brown man and the white man, the black man and the red man, brothers and equals, has scarily ever yet dawned upon these fury advocates of faith.… (The Arabian prophet's…) code was written for the palm-bearing zones, and within those zones it has always thriven. No Babee is found settled out of Persia, no Sikh out of Upper India; in each case a man finds his religious rites adapted to the country in which he dwells."

This reference does not appear to be in The Bábí and Bahá'í religions 1844-1944: some contemporary western accounts.

in French[edit]

in 1867 notice is mentioned of Gobineau's work in Persia and mentions "Babys" briefly in passing.[28]

and

Adolphe Franck wrote Philosophie et Religion, a chapter of which - chapter vi, "Une Nouvelle Religion en Perse", pp. 281–340, (59 pages) significantly reviews "Babysm", mostly based on Gobineau.[29] Momen mentions it in The Babi and Baha'i Religions, pp. 23–24, notes this was actually published first in 1865 in the Journal des Savants. Franck and Gobineau differed as to the originality and intensity of the Babi Faith.

and

Oriental Mysticism, by E.H. Palmer, mentioned the Bab in a footnote on page 44, noted Mirza Kazem-Beg.[30]

44:1 Also called Sahibû’zzemán, "The Lord of Time." He is to be the sovereign of the world, to bear the name of Mohammed, and introduce the Millennium. Many religious enthusiasts of the Muslems have claimed to be the Sahibû’zzemán, amongst them Ali Mohammed, alias Báb el Islám (the door of Islamism), who founded the sect of the Babis in Persia during the present century. A history of the movement is given by Mirza Kazem-Beg in the Journal Asiatique, No. 26. Paris, 1866.

1868 articles[edit]

MacEoin's bibliography[31] notes "'Le Babysme'" by Michel Nicolas in Le Temps (Paris) (14, 19, 20 August 1868): p. 3, col.2;[32] p. 3, col.3;[33] p. 3, col.2.[34] Three papers based on Gobineau, by Michel Nicolas, a professor in the Faculty of Protestant Theology at Montauban (not to be confused with A.L.M. Nicolas). RG Watson later uses this for the Britannica article (see below, 1889.) Le Temps was published from 1861 to 1942.

"BABYSME" in l'Annuaire encyclopédique, 1868, p. 256–271, (15 pages) by "Al Bonneau".[35]

A discussion on the state of Islam in French mentions the Bab, Babis, Babism circa 1867/8 occurs in the Universal History of Catholicism.[36] Perhaps borrowed from 1865's Gobineau work. It refers the reader to l'Annuaire encyclopédique, 1868, "BABYSME" above.

1869[edit]

Stephen Greenleaf Bulfinch[edit]

Follows the work of Renan - Studies in the evidences of Christianity (1869) by Stephen Greenleaf Bulfinch out of Boston, pp. 129 – 140. Published in the last year of his life[37] Bulfinch had been a unitarian minister since 1830 but resigns circa 1860 when he accepts the trinity doctrine - he also is an observer noted for the American Civil War.[38] Bullfinch makes comparisons between the Bab and Jesus mostly positive though he calls the religion a "delusion".[39]

He marks the court examination of the claims of the Bab like the examination of Jesus (suggesting the account may in fact have been copied), then after while continues:

In various respects, the history of Mirza Ali Mohammed, surnamed the Bab, presents startling resemblance to that of the Savior. Claiming descent from an ancient prophet king, he was yet, like Jesus, born in a lowly station; still he was regarded by his followers as the sovereign of his nation and of mankind, whose advent had been long foretold and ardently expected. After leading a life of purity, and uttering words of wisdom, he was put to death, through the hostility of his own government, but by the hands of foreign soldiers; and, before his execution, he was denied by some of his most prominent followers; nay, the very form of contumely with which thy were compelled to treat him, was the same which had been used towards the Savior in the hall of the high priest.

It is high honor for a teacher of wisdom thus to bear in his own history a resemblance to that of the Redeemer and we would fain believe that Mirza Ali Mohammed was worthy of the distinction. But we cannot forget that the claim was made for him, that he was "the Gate of Truth, the Imam of Islam," the subject of ancient prophecy, the worker of present miracles, and the destined possessor of universal empire.…

He then elaborates that the Bab was deluded but not consciously an impostor, but of pure character. However he distinguishes the history of Babi Faith not paralleling Christianity by the descent of disgruntled Babis in attempting assassination but that as Jesus had been personally present He was in a position to tell Peter to put his sword away. Overall the advances attributed to the Babi Faith are said to be a direct copy of the Christian Faith.

EP Evans[edit]

Collins' Bibliography notes an entry in Jan 1869 by Edward Payson Evans:[40]

  • 11.379 Evans, E.P., "Bab and Babism", Hours at Home, Jan 1869[41]

Cites Gobeineau, Kazem-Beg, and Michel Nicolas. Across 12 pages, note saying "Indeed, we believe there is not a book in English language that gives any account whatever of it." Again mention of use of secret groups to preserve Babis, and there is a reference of a "Bab" in 1866 in Baghdad.

Edwin Bliss[edit]

Collins' Bibliography noted an entry from 1869 by Edwin Bliss:[40]

  • 11.209 Bliss, Edwin, "Bab and Babism", Missionary Herald, May, 1869[42][43] writes directly based on the "Hours at Home" above because it stated "no Missionary Herald mentioned it yet".

Leo de Colange[edit]

Leo de Colange's 1869 Zell's Popular Encyclopedia out of eastern Pennsylvania probably based on Gobineau's work(?) wrote a 2 page entry on the religion named "Babism".[44] It was published in the June 23 Daily Evening Telegraph, of Philadelphia, p. 6[45] Another repeat appeared July 17 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.[46]

This reference does not appear to be in The Bábí and Bahá'í religions 1844-1944: some contemporary western accounts.

A New Religion[edit]

Collins' Bibliography notes an entry from July 1869:[47]

  • 11.380 "A New Religion", All the Year Round, July 17, 1869[48][49] It refers to Gobineau.

It appears to be echoed in the US in August: Brooklyn Eagle, August 3, 1869, Page: 1[50] - a summary with flaws but with extensive details. From Gobineau?

Echoed uncited story on Babism was in The Hawaiian Gazette, Honolulu Oahu, Hawaii, Sept 08, 1869, p. 4, had a 3 paragraph summary on the religion as a modification of Islam It specifically mention the Bab being like "a John the Baptist to a system which is yet to be fully revealed to the faithful."[51]

Robert Arbuthnot[edit]

Collins' Bibliography notes an entry for Aug 1869 by Robert Arbuthnot:[40]

  • 11.53 Arbuthnot, Robert, "The Bab and Babeeism" in Contemporary Review from Aug. 1869

Also Contemporary Review published (part 1) an article by "Robert J Arbuthnot" in 1869 who reviews Gobineau and Kazem-Beg as the first major scholarly attempts at understanding Babism - still with many flaws.[52]

Annee Philosophique[edit]

Annee Philosophique - Études Critiques Sur Le Mouvement Des Idées Génénerales, published in 1869, by F. Pillon (other parts by Ch. Renouvier) included "Une Nouvelle Religion en Asia". It reviews Gobineau (mostly), Kazem Beg, and "Ad. Franck., Philosophie et Religion (ch. vi, in-8°, Didier, 1867)" across 35 pages.[53]

Une nouvelle religion en Asie[edit]

The Saturday Review of Politics, Literature, Science and Art, August 21, 1869, carried a story "Reviews: The Philosophical Year and the Bábys" pp. 254–256 [54] looks at another journal, M. F. Pillon's Philosophical Annual. This is a review of Gobineau and Kazem Beg's works, and appears to mention Arbuthnot's Contemporary Review article. While reviewing general theology it also reviews the abjad-like qualities of the Bábís scripture as well as talismans along with various legal rules and punishments. It says that "(the Bab's) successors repudiate (polygamy), and hold that monogamy is the only proper state.… and the discipline which we of the West commonly associate with the birch is regarded by them with evident disfavor.… With all their oddities, the Bábys certainly make a more respectable figure than the Mormons of America or the Socialists of Europe."

1870[edit]

Michele Lessona[edit]

In about 1870 Michele Lessona wrote a book I Babi which was published in 1881 by Vincenzo Bona in Turin, Italy.[5] Lessona had been a physician serving in Persia circa 1862 for a number of years where he learned of the Babis from a "Dávud Khán" as well as Gobineau.[5] Momen states the book relies much on Gobineau but elaborates personally about the difficulty in finding any first hand information: "The terror which this name awakens is such that no one dares to speak, or even think, of it."[5]

Aleksander Walerian Jabłonowski[edit]

In 1870 Polish writer Aleksander Walerian Jablonowski met Baha'is in Baghdad.[5] Later in the 1870s he wrote several articles covering its early history in Persia[55] - one of these was to defend the Bahá'í Faith against an erroneous article in another publication.[56][57]

1871[edit]

Thomas Chaplin[edit]

Dr Thomas Chaplin intended to visit Baha’u’llah and had a couple-hour interview with 'Abdu’l-Bahá in April 1871 and sent a letter to the editor printed in The Times, London, 5 Oct, 1871, p. 8.[58] Echoes began to appear elsewhere in Britain,[59] but then soon also in the US,[60] Australia,[61] and some years later in Canada.[62] Momen comments this seems to be the first extended commentary on Bahá'u'lláh in western newspapers and that Chaplin visited with `Abdu'l-Baha (who was then about 29 yrs old.)[5]

Matthew Arnold[edit]

Mathew Arnold is noted by Collins' Bibliography for writing a play:[40]

  • 11.57 Arnold, Matthew, "A Persian Passion Play", in The Cornhill Magazine, 1871

1872[edit]

Collins' Bibliography notes for 1872:

  • 11.66 "The Bâbys", The Church Missionary Intelligencer, June 1872.[63] After spending considerable effort deriving all religious impulses to the affect of Christianity and the particulars of Islam and Shi' as well as Zoroastrian references, (covering a few pages) the anonymous author reviews Gobineau through these assumptions. The focus is on the Bábís from page 166–175.

Augustus Mounsey[edit]

August Henry Mounsey published A journey through the Caucasus and the interior of Persia in 1872 and on pages 103–107 reviews events related to the Bab and Babis, says it is a different account from Gobineau[64]

1873[edit]

The Colonial Church chronicle, and missionary journal in June 1873, published a review of missionary action in Persia. It notes a mention of Babys in one paragraph and deferred readers to the Intelligencer above.[65] While its coverage of Babis is brief, it quotes "Mr. Bruce" in a partial letter - Mr. Bruce appearing in many other accounts as an update. This letter from Mr. Bruce does not mention the Babis but it is notable that his position is more explained. He is a missionary in Teheran without a permanent post/support. For more on Bruce see below circa 1890.

The Sunday at Home[edit]

Sunday at Home carried a story in 1873.[66]

1874 Clements Markham[edit]

A General Sketch of the History of Persia by Clements Robert Markham, noted "Babys" in the history across little more than one page - pp. 495–6.[67]

1877[edit]

"Babism" entry, The World's Progress; a Dictionary of Dates: Being a Chronological and Alphabetical Record of All Essential Facts in the Progress of Society, from the Creation of the World to the Present Time with a Chart, 21st edition, ed by George Palmer Putnam, Frederic Beecher Perkins, published by G. P. Putnam, 1877, p. 8[68] and note it is not in the 1861 edition.[69]

1878[edit]

The Dublin University Magazine, March 1878, during a review of Shelly as "Shelley's Life and Writings, Two Lectures," by William Michael Rossetti, Lecture II.[70]

1880[edit]

Adolfo Rivadneyra[edit]

Momen notes[5] in about 1875 Adolfo Rivadneyra traveled through Persia and in 1880 published Viaje al Interior de Persia which includes about 10 pages about the Babis following the pattern of Lessona; relies much on Gobineau but elaborates personally about the difficulty in finding any first hand information: "…it is enough to say that even I, a European, would not dare to speak aloud the name of the sect in public, for fear of thus starting an immediate conflict. It is, indeed a shame that the apostles of the new Messiah did not act prudently, otherwise they would certainly have triumphed…."[71]

Conferences in Italy[edit]

On 5 and 12 December 1880 two conferences on the Bábí movement were given in Torino Italy by Michele Lessona. In 1881 the two conferences were published as a monograph entitled I Babi - "one of the very first documentations, made by an European, of the episode of the Báb". Lessona also mentions Bahá'u'lláh, by reporting the presence in Baghdad (sic) of "a new Bab, successor to the first".[72]

Light from the East (1881)[edit]

Rev. Henry R. Coleman published Light from the East: Travels and Researches in Bible Lands in Pursuit of More Light in Masonry in 1881 with tells of a visit to Bahá'u'lláh after making contact with the Baha'i community.[73]

Six months in Persia (1882)[edit]

In 1879, on the developing trade relations Dutchman Johan Colligan entered into partnership with two Bahá'ís, Haji Siyyid Muhammad-Hasan and Haji Siyyid Muhammad-Husayn, who were known as the King and Beloved of Martyrs. These two Bahá'ís were arrested and executed because the Imám-Jum'ih at the time owed them a large sum of money for business relations and instead of paying them would confiscate their property.[74] Their execution was committed despite Johan Colligan's testifying to their innocence. He did manage to motivate other merchants to defend their innocence and there was a brief respite in their suffering. Author Edward Slack, then serving in a the Bengal civil service, witnessed this and later reported this in his book Six months in Persia.[75]

1883 Carla Serena[edit]

Momen notes[5] Carla Serena traveled in Persia in 1877–78. She says she met with a witness to events but apparently relies much on Gobineau. She published several books in the last few years of her life in 1884 and the one was Hommes et Choses en Perse which was published in 1883 (or earlier?).[76]

1884 National Encyclopedia of Oxford[edit]

Babysm in the Oxford National Encyclopedia.[77]

1885[edit]

Mary Wilson[edit]

Mary F Wilson (Jan 12, 1861 - June 1895?)[78] with Unitarian connections.[79]

Collins' Bibliography notes an entry from Dec 1885:[40]

  • 11.1093 Wilson, Mary, "Story of the Bab", Contemporary Review, Dec 1885 (21 page)[80]
  • 11.1094 idem (repeated), Littell's Living Age, Jan 1886[81]

and

  • The Library Magazine, 1886[82]
  • February 1886 Eclectic Magazine, pp. 264–278.[83]

Through Gobeneau she writes of "Moulla Houssein Boushewyeh of Khorassan", "Hadgy Mohammed Ali of Balfouroush", and "Golden Crown" lady of "Kazwyn" and later as "Gourret-ul-Ain". This articles's presence in Contemporary Review was noted in other places - even briefly summarized in The Argus, Melbourne, Vic., Saturday 30 January 1886, p. 4,[84] and other places.[85] Wilson also translated the German sermons of Friedrich Schleiermacher which were published in 1890.[86]

She did note some parallels with the events of Christianity: "…a joyful constancy in the face of bitterest suffering, torture and death, as vivid and touching as any that are found in the records of the heroic days of old… We have been accustomed to claim it as an argument for the truth of our Christianity that its believers have been strong to suffer martyrdom for its sake. But here we have not men only, but tender and delicate women and little children, joyfully enduring torture 'not accepting deliverance,' for the sake of the faith that was in them.… The account of this closing day in the Bab’s history almost irresistibly recalls a similar day in a more sacred story. The mock trial – the outburst of blind, popular fury, stirred up by a jealous and vindictive priesthood – the cruel mockings and insult …"[80]

John Tunis[edit]

John Arthur Tunis, father of John R. Tunis authored "Woman in the Ministry: An Appeal to Fact", May 9, 1885, pp. 92–94[87] He argues for women ministers in light of the impact of Tahirih and Babism; cites Gobineau. John Tunis was a unitartian minister converted from Episcopalian practice,[88] serving at Unitarian Church in Quincy Illinois at the time.[89] He was from NY, and later served for a time in Norwell, MA., circa 1886–9, before moving on to Cambridgeport. Unity was established in 1878 by Unitairian minister Jenkins Lloyd Jones[90]

A dictionary of Islam (1885)[edit]

A dictionary of Islam by Anglican priest Thomas Patrick Hughes, published 1885, has a brief mention of "Babites" mentioning Gobineau but claiming an independent a source of an independent eye witness to the Martyrdom of the Báb.[91]

1886 James Bassett[edit]

Persia: the land of the imams. A narrative of travel and residence, 1871-1885, published 1886, by American Presbyterian missionary James Bassett. Momen notes this was among the first mentions of Baha'u'llah as leader of the Babis in Persia, and that He was in Akka.[92][93][94] Reviewed in The New York Times, 9 May. 1886, p. 12[95] and The Inter Ocean, Chicago, Illinois, 15 May 1886, p. 9.[96]

1887[edit]

Samuel Benjamin[edit]

Samuel Greene Wheeler Benjamin published Persia and the Persians in 1886[97] in America after being stationed in Persia from 1882 representing the US government. It was reprinted in London in 1887.[98][99] Though the reviews do not comment on the Babis the book was reviewed in The Bismarck Tribune, Bismarck, North Dakota, 26 Aug, 1885 p. 2,[100] and The Inter Ocean, Chicago, Illinois, 20 Nov, 1886, p. 9.[101] Momen mentions that the coverage appears to ignore Gobineau by repeating earlier errors.[5] Benjamin himself mentions Babis in a brief newspaper article echoed in the Indian Journal, Muskogee, Oklahoma, 1 Oct, 1885, p. 7,[102] (the first newspaper published in the Creek Nation)[103] and similarly in the Decatur Daily Republican, Decatur, Illinois, 13 Oct, 1885, p. 4, (which cites the Independent .)[104] as does the Indian Journal of Eufaula, Oklahoma.[105]

Jane Dieulafoy[edit]

Momen notes[5] that Jane Dieulafoy traveled in Persia with her husband in 1880-81. He says she follows Gobineau for the early history of the religion but then elaborates on her own about the later part. In particular she remarks about a messenger sent from the Shah to Baha'u'llah in Akka who switches allegiance, an event apparently undocumented in Baha'i chronicles.[106]

English Dictionary[edit]

A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles: Founded Mainly on the Materials Collected by the Philological Society, Vol 1, Part 2 by the Philological Society (Great Britain), ed by James Augustus Henry Murray, published by Clarendon Press, 1887 where "Babism" as we know it is the second definition.[107]

1889[edit]

Collins' Bibliography notes an entry from July–Oct 1889:[40]

Encyclopædia Britannica, 9th ed. (1889)[edit]

Indirect evidence suggest the first entry by the The Encyclopædia Britannica on Babi/Baha'i history occurred in 1889 ( - see the index to the 1889 edition, p. 39, middle column near top.) The first available entry at this time is from 1893[108] and appears to be identical to the one in 1902.[109] - Cites Gobineau, Kazem Beg previously "condensed into a valuable essay by F. Pillon, in "L'Annie Philosophique" for 1869," as well as RG Watson History of Persia under the Kajar Dynasty and someone named "Ethe" in Essays and Studien out of Berlin, 1872, and incidental notices in "Vambrey, Polak, Piggott, and Lady Sheil." Mentions "Mollah Husein Boushrevieh", "Goured-Oul-Ayn" and "Mohammed Ali Balfouroushi".[110]

1890[edit]

Robert Bruce[edit]

Collins' Bibliography notes an entry from Aug. 1890 - (a newspaper for promoting Christianity among Jews):[40]

  • 11.240 Bruce, Robert, "News of the Month: In a Letter from Dr. Bruce of Persia...", The Jewish Intelligence, Aug, 1890

Blackie's Modern Cyclopedia[edit]

"Babism" entry in Blackie's modern cyclopedia of universal information, Vol 1, published 1890, p. 329–330[111]

Anti-Bahá’í Riot in Isfahan (1890)[edit]

In 1890 Dutchman Johan Colligan (see also above 1879) was also witness to a riot against Bahá’í farmers near Isfahan which also revealed several British diplomats attempting to avert or redress the riot. Another Dutchman, C.F. Prins, witnessed and attempted to give relief to those Bahá'í who suffered in another riot in Yazd against them in 1891. In the same year, Dutchman Henri Dunlop had trade relations in Shiraz with Afnán-i-Kabir, brother to the wife of the Báb,[74] and acquired several Bahá'í manuscripts which he offered to professor Edward Granville Browne and later to professor Michael Jan de Goeje of Leiden University who published the first Dutch academic article on the Babis/Bahá'ís in October 1893. The portrait of the Babis from these accounts and articles communicated to the Dutch public was different than the early reports, and was of being prone to engage with foreigners, being monogamous, and seeking out civil authorities for protection from Muslim mobs.[74]

1891[edit]

EG Browne[edit]

In the later 1880s, inspired by Gobineau, Edward Granville Browne investigated the Babis in Persia and then the prisoners sent west and began to publish about 1891 many times ultimately through about the 1920s.

An 1893 publication lists Browne among the contributors specifically on Sufism and Babiism.[112]

Among them is:[40]

  • 11.229 Browne, Edward G, "The Assassination of Násiru'd-Dín Shah", New Review, June 1896
  • 11.721 "Mr. Browne in Persia", The Spectator, Apr 28, 1894

In Dec 28, 1893 The Nation covered the progress of Browne's works briefly on p. 486.[113]

Isabella Bird[edit]

Isabella Bird briefly describes Babis being attacked and taking refuge in a book Journeys in Persia and Kurdistan printed in 1891.[114]

Additionally Collins' Bibliography notes another 1891 entry:[40]

  • 11.192 Bent, Theodore, "Village life in Persia", Review, Jul-Dec 1891

1892[edit]

Huxley Essay[edit]

Mentions Babism - Essays upon some Controverted Questions, by Thomas Henry Huxley, in 1892.[115]

This reference does not appear to be in The Bábí and Bahá'í religions 1844-1944: some contemporary western accounts.

Lord Curzon of Kedleston[edit]

Momen mentions Lord Curzon in his Contemporary Western Accounts in positive terms. At least one of his sets of references comes in Marquess George Nathaniel Curzon Curzon of Kedleston (1892). Persia and the Persian Question. Longmans, Green & Company. Retrieved 31 May 2013. across several pages.

in the context of Islam[edit]

A posthumous work of George Thomas Bettany was published in 1892. It is a general review of Islam and includes alittle more than a page on "Babism".[116] It mentions a priority position for "Hosain" at Fort "Tebersy", mentions Yahya, the persecution in 1852 but not why and a few other details. It offers few citations.

Additionally Collins' Bibliography notes other entries for 1892:[40]

  • 11.61 "The Bab", The Oxford Magazine, May 25, 1892
  • 11.231 "Catalogue and Descriptions of 27 Bábí Manuscripts", Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, July 1892 (actually appeared in two segments - see Catalogue and Description of 27 Bábí Manuscripts, Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society (New Series) / Volume 24 / Issue 03 / July 1892, pp 433–499 and Catalogue and Description of 27 Bábí Manuscripts, Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society (New Series) / Volume 24 / Issue 04 / October 1892, pp 637–710

Baron Rosen[edit]

Collins' Bibliography notes the work of Baron Rosen:[40]

See Youli Loannesyan (29 May 2013). The Development of the Babi/Baha'i Communities:Exploring Baron Rosen's Archives. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1-136-74148-7.

"Shiah Sect in Persia: A New religion"[edit]

A review of reviews, on page 644, bottom left, refers to "Shiah Sect in Persia: A New Religion, Scot R. Apr" which the key renders as Scottish Review, apparently April 1892.[117] It is reviewed in The New York Times, 5 June 1892, p. 4, who names the author - Coutts Trotter.[118]

  • 11.1015 Trotter, Coutts, "A New religion", Scottish Review, Apr 1892[40]

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ [1] which has been translated here
  2. ↑ Les religions et les philosophies dans l'Asie centrale, by comte de Arthur Gobineau, 3rd edition
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Dean-Deibert, Margaret (1978). "Early Journalistic Reactions to the Bahá'í Faith: 1845-1912". World Order. National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States (Summer 1978): 17–27. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  4. ↑ The World of Toni Morrison: A Guide to Characters and Places in Her Novels, by Gloria G. Roberson
  5. ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 Moojan Momen (1981) [1977]. The Bábí and Bahá'í religions 1844-1944: some contemporary western accounts. G. Ronald. pp. ??. ISBN 978-0-85398-102-2. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  6. ↑ Preface, The Work of A.L.M. Nicholas (1864-1937), from The Seven Proofs, by The Báb, translated by A.L.M. Nicolas and Peter Terry.
  7. ↑ Browne, Edward Granville by Moojan Momen
  8. ↑ "A new religion", Daily Inter Ocean, July 02, 1866, Chicago, IL, p. 3
  9. ↑ "A new religion", Semi-Weekly Telegraph, August 30, 1866, Salt Lake City, UT, p. 1
  10. ↑ Baha'i Faith, Scholarship on, by Moojan Momen, 1999?
  11. ↑ The list of anniversaries of historic events and of eminent personalities celebrated by the Republic of Azerbaijan with which UNESCO is associated
  12. ↑ Momen notes them in April–May, June, August–September and October–November. See:
    • Bab et les Babis, Journal asiatique, Publisher Société asiatique, April–May 1866, pp. 329–384,
    • Bab et les Babis, Journal asiatique, Publisher Société asiatique, June 1866, pp. 457–522.
    • Bab et les Babis, Journal asiatique, Publisher Société asiatique, August–September 1866, pp. 196–252.
    • Bab et les Babis, Journal asiatique, Publisher Société asiatique, October–November 1866, pp. 357–400.
  13. ↑ Amanat, Abbas (1989). Resurrection and renewal: the making of the Babi movement in Iran, 1844-1850. G - Reference, Information and Interdisciplinary Subjects Series. Cornell University Press. p. 110. ISBN 0-8014-2098-9.
  14. ↑ "Persia" (latter part of), The American Annual Cyclopædia and Register of Important Events …: Embracing Political, Civil, Military, and Social Affairs; Public Documents; Biography, Statistics, Commerce, Finance, Literature, Science, Agriculture, and Mechanical Industry, published by D. Appleton, 1866, p. 696
  15. ↑ "Premie article" as a review of Gobineau, by Adolphe Franch, in Journal des Savants, Nov, 1865, pp. 665–681
  16. ↑ "Deuxième et Dernier Article" as a review of Gobineau, by Adolphe Franch, in Journal des Savants, Dec, 1865, pp. 767–787
  17. ↑ John Ussher (1865). A Journey from London to Persepolis. Hurst and Blackett. pp. 627–629.
  18. ↑ A History of Persia from the Beginning of the Nineteenth Century to the Year 1858 by Robert Grant Watson, pages 347-352, 385-393, 407-410, London: Smith, Elder and Co., 1866
  19. ↑ A History of Persia from the Beginning of the Nineteenth Century to the Year 1858 by Robert Grant Watson, 1866.
  20. ↑ Peerage Watsons
  21. ↑ *María Luz Incident
    • The diplomatic service; an abstract and examination of evidence taken by the Select Committee of the House of Commons in 1870 (1871)
  22. ↑ The Origins of Christianity: The apostles, Volume 2 of The Origins of Christianity, by Ernest Renan, Publisher Carleton, 1866,
    see also Under "Some New Books", "vi", The Sun, New York New York, September 11, 1898, p. 22, 5th column near bottom to 6th column top
  23. ↑ A New Religion, The Nation, June 22, 1866, vol 2, no 59, pp. 793–795
  24. ↑ "Foreign Intelligence… France", The Methodist Quarterly Review, 3rd paragraph, p. 467, July, 1866
  25. ↑ New America, page 188
  26. ↑ New America, page 191
  27. ↑ New America, By William Hepworth Dixon. With illustrations from original photographs, Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & co., 1867.
  28. ↑ Souvenirs d'un voyage en Perse/ par M. le Cte Julien de Rochechouart, 1867, p. 5, 105
  29. ↑ "Une Nouvelle Religion en Perse", by Adolphe Franck, in Philosophie et Religion, pp. 281–340, 1867, published by Didier et Co., Libraires–Editeurs.
  30. ↑ E. H. Palmer (1 February 2003). Oriental Mysticism 1867. Kessinger Publishing. pp. 43–44. ISBN 978-0-7661-4456-9.
  31. ↑ MacEoin, Denis. "Babi history". The Babi and Baha'i Religions: An Annotated Bibliography. Greenwood Press's ongoing series of Bibliographies and Indexes in Religious Studies. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  32. ↑ "'Le Babysme'." by Michel Nicolas, Le Temps (Paris) (14 August 1868)
  33. ↑ "'Le Babysme'." by Michel Nicolas, Le Temps (Paris) (19 August 1868)
  34. ↑ "'Le Babysme'." by Michel Nicolas, Le Temps (Paris) (20 August 1868)
  35. ↑ "BABYSME" in l'Annuaire encyclopédique, 1868, p. 256–271
  36. ↑ "L'Islamisme", of the "Annales Ecclesiastiques", by the Histoire Universaelle de L'Eglise Catholique ed by Abbe Rohrbacher, 1867/1868, pp. 18–20. On page 19-20 there is some discussion of the Bab etc.
  37. ↑ Stephen Greenleaf Bulfinch - 1809-1870
  38. ↑ Diary Offers a Unique Glimpse of the Civil War By Zach Reisch, Intern
  39. ↑ Babism, Studies in the evidences of Christianity, 1869, pp. 129 – 140
  40. ↑ 40.00 40.01 40.02 40.03 40.04 40.05 40.06 40.07 40.08 40.09 40.10 40.11 William P. Collins (1990). Bibliography of English-language works on the Bábí and Bahá'í faiths, 1844-1985. G. Ronald. ISBN 978-0-85398-315-6. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  41. ↑ "Bab and Babism" (with gap(s)), Evans, E.P., Hours at Home, Jan 1869, Vol 8 (Nov 1868 to April 1869), published by Charles Scribner & Company, pp. 210–222
  42. ↑ "Bab and Babism". The Missionary Herald. Board: 145–148. 1869. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  43. ↑ "Bab and Babism" by Rev Edwin E Bliss, The Missionary Herald, May, 1869, pp. 146–148
  44. ↑ "Babism", Zell's Popular Encyclopedia: A Universal Dictionary of English Language, Science, Literature, and Art, Volume 1, p. 190–192
  45. ↑ Daily Evening Telegraph, June 23, 1869, in Philadelphia, p. 6
  46. ↑ Babism, Green Bay Weekly Gazette (Green Bay, Wisconsin)17 Jul 1869, Sat • Main Edition • Page 1
  47. ↑ William P. Collins (1990). Bibliography of English-language works on the Bábí and Bahá'í faiths, 1844-1985. G. Ronald. ISBN 978-0-85398-315-6. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  48. ↑ anonymous (July 17, 1869). "A New Religion". All the Year Round. Dickens Journals Online: 149–154. Retrieved April 29, 2013. {{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  49. ↑ "A New Religion", by anonymous, All the Year Round, ed by Charles Dickens, July 17, 1869 edition, pp. 149–154
  50. ↑ A New Religion, Brooklyn Eagle, August 03, 1869, Page: 1
  51. ↑ "A New Religion", The Hawaiian Gazette, Honolulu Oahu, Hawaii, Sept 08, 1869, p. 4, 4th column, from middle
  52. ↑ Contemporary Review. Review. 1869. pp. 581–601. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
  53. ↑ "Une Nouvelle Religion en Asia", Annee Philosophique - Études Critiques Sur Le Mouvement Des Idées Génénerales, published in 1869, by F. Pillon, pp. 181–216
  54. ↑ "Reviews: The Philosophical Year and the Bábys", by anonymous, Saturday Review of Politics, Literature, Science and Art, August 21, 1869
  55. ↑ "History in Poland". Official Webpage of the Bahá'ís of Poland. National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Poland. 2008. Retrieved 2009-03-20.
  56. ↑ Jasion, Jan T. (1999). "The Polish Response to Soviet Anti-Bahá'í Polemics". Associate. Vol. Winter 1999, no. 29. Association for Bahá'í Studies (English-Speaking Europe).
  57. ↑ Momen, Moojan. "Russia". Draft for "A Short Encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith". Bahá'í Library Online. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
  58. ↑ "The Babs of Persia", The Times, London, 5 Oct, 1871, p. 8, 3rd column down from top
  59. ↑ * The Babs of Persia, Daily Post Liverpool, Merseyside, England 06 Oct 1871, Fri • Page 13
  60. ↑ * Christian Mussulmen, Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 26 Oct 1871, Thu • Page 1
  61. ↑ Syria; Three thousand Mahometans seeking the Light, The Protestant Standard (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1895) Sat 9 Mar 1872 Page 3
  62. ↑ The followers…, The Brantford Weekly Expositor, Brantford, Ontario, Canada 15 Jun 1883, Fri • Page 1
  63. ↑ "The Bábys", The Church Missionary Intelligencer, June 1872, pp. 161–175
  64. ↑ Augustus Henry Mounsey (1872). A journey through the Caucasus and the interior of Persia. Smith, Elder & co. pp. 103–107. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  65. ↑ "The Church of England in Persia", by anonymous, in The Colonial Church chronicle, and missionary journal, June 1873, pp. 206–208
  66. ↑ The Sunday at Home. Religious Tract Society. 1873. pp. circa p. 439. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  67. ↑ A General Sketch of the History of Persia by Clements Robert Markham, published by Longmans, Green, and Company, 1874, pp. 495–6.
  68. ↑ "Babism" in The World's Progress; a Dictionary of Dates, 21st edition, by George Palmer Putnam, Frederic Beecher Perkins, published by G. P. Putnam, 1877, p. 8
  69. ↑ "B"s, The World's Progress; a Dictionary of Dates, ed by George Palmer Putnam, Frederic Beecher Perkins, published by G. P. Putnam, 1861, p. 185
  70. ↑ The Dublin University Magazine. William Curry, Jun., and Company. 1878. pp. 264–. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  71. ↑ I cannot determine which pages these are but see Viaje al interior de Persia, by Adolfo Rivadneyra, 1880.
  72. ↑ Italy: History of the Baha'i Faith by Julio Savi, 1992
  73. ↑ Light from the East: Travels and Researches in Bible Lands in Pursuit of More Light in Masonry, by Henry R. Coleman, self published in 1888 in Louisville, KY (copyrighted 1881), pp347-9
  74. ↑ 74.0 74.1 74.2 de Vries, Jelle (2002). The Babi Question You Mentioned--: The Origins of the Baha'i Community of the Netherlands, 1844-1962. Peeters Publishers. pp. 18–20, 24, 28–40, 43–46, 65–69. ISBN 978-90-429-1109-3.
  75. ↑ Edward Stack (1882). Six months in Persia. S. Low, Marston, Searle & Rivington. pp. 29–31. Retrieved 26 May 2013.
  76. ↑ See Formation de la Secte des babi in Hommes et choses en Perse, by Carla Serena, published by Charpentier, 1883
  77. ↑ National cyclopaedia (1884). The national encyclopædia. Libr. ed. pp. 142–. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  78. ↑ Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens of the State of Maine. New England Historical Publishing Company. 1903. p. 54.
  79. ↑ The Wilson-Cutler Wedding, Bangor Daily Whig and Courier, (Bangor, Maine)18 Jun 1886, Fri • Page 3
  80. ↑ 80.0 80.1 The Contemporary Review. A. Strahan. 1885. pp. 808–829. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
  81. ↑ "Story of the Bab", by Mary Wilson, The Living Age (Jan–March, 1886) Volume 53; Volume 168, pp. 151–163
  82. ↑ "Story of the Bab", by Mary Wilson, Library Magazine, 1886, pp. 137–148
  83. ↑ The Eclectic Magazine of Foreign Literature, Science, and Art. Leavitt, Trow, & Company. 1886. pp. 264–278. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
  84. ↑ "December Magazines", 'The Argus, Melbourne, Vic., Saturday 30 January 1886, p. 4 4th col, below middle as part of summary of Contemporary Review
  85. ↑ "Noticeable Articles", The Tech, Jan 14, 1886, vol V, No. 7, p. 105, MIT, left col, below middle
  86. ↑ Selected Sermons of Schleiermacher. Tr. Mary F. Wilson. London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1890.
  87. ↑ "Woman in the Ministry: An Appeal to Fact", by John Tunis, in Unity, Vol XV, No 6, May 9, 1885, pp. 92–94
  88. ↑ John Tunis
  89. ↑ Unitarian Church, Quincy, Illinois
  90. ↑ Ellen Roberts Young (16 June 2011). John Emerson Roberts: Kansas City's Up-To-Date: Freethought Preacher. Xlibris Corporation. pp. 56–. ISBN 978-1-4628-7693-8. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
  91. ↑ Thomas Patrick Hughes (1885). "Shi'ah". A dictionary of Islam; being a cyclopaedia of the doctrines, rites, ceremonies, and customs, together with the technical and theological terms, of the Muhammadan religion. London, W. H. Allen & co.. p. 579. OCLC 386389. https://archive.org/details/dictionaryofisla00hugh/page/579. Retrieved June 21, 2019. 
  92. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Momen1981
  93. ↑ Persia the Land of the Imams: A Narrative of Travel And Residence 1871 to 1885, Author James Bassett, published 1886
  94. ↑ Persia the Land of the Imams: A Narrative of Travel And Residence 1871 to 1885, Author James Bassett, published 1886, pages 297-300
  95. ↑ "A Residence in Persia", The New York Times, 9 May 1886, p. 12, 5th column, down from top
  96. ↑ "Literary; Triumphant Democracy - Persia, by James Bassett - The Country Banker…", The Inter Ocean, 15 May 1886, p. 9, 4th column from top
  97. ↑ Persia and the Persians, by Samuel Greene Wheeler Benjamin, first edition, (1886)
  98. ↑ Persia and the Persians, by Samuel Greene Wheeler Benjamin, second edition, (1887)
  99. ↑ Persia and the Persians, by Samuel Green Wheeler Benjamin, second edition, (1887)
  100. ↑ "Life in Persia", The Bismarck Tribune, 26 Aug, 1885 p. 2, 2nd column from top
  101. ↑ Persia and the Persians, The Inter Ocean, Chicago, Illinois, 20 Nov, 1886, p. 9, 4th column, down from top
  102. ↑ "The Mormon Communists of Persia", Indian Journal, Muskogee, Oklahoma, 1 Oct, 1885, p. 7, 4th column, below middle
  103. ↑ Oklahoma Historical Society
  104. ↑ - "The Mormon Communists of Persia", Decatur Daily Republican, Decatur, Illinois, 13 Oct, 1885, p. 4, 3rd column above bottom
  105. ↑ "The Mormon Communists of Persia", Indian Journal, October 01, 1885, p. 7, 4th column, above bottom
  106. ↑ Not sure what page the particular story takes place on but see La Perse, la Chaldée et la Susiane, by Jane Dieulafoy, 1887, p. 77...?
  107. ↑ "Babism", A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles Vol 1, Part 2 by the Philological Society (Great Britain), ed by James Augustus Henry Murray, published by Clarendon Press, 1887, p. 606
  108. ↑ "Babi", by "RG" - RG Watson? (see Travelers and Scholars on the Bábí/Baha'i Faiths#1866 - Robert Grant Watson) The Encyclopædia Britannica, 9th edition, ed by William Harrison De Puy, published by Werner Company, 1893, vol III, pp. 180–181
  109. ↑ Babi, Encyclopaedia Britannica, 10th Edition (1902)
  110. ↑ 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica (9th ed.), Volume III. "Bábi".
  111. ↑ "Babism" entry in Blackie's modern cyclopedia of universal information, Vol 1, published 1890, p. 329–330
  112. ↑ Religious Systems of the World, Guardian, (London, Greater London, England), 22 March 1893 • Page 26
  113. ↑ "Notes", The Nation, Dec 28, 1893, p. 486, second column, middle.
  114. ↑ Journeys in Persia and Kurdistan, by Isabella Bird, London: John Murray, 1891 (excerpt)
  115. ↑ Essays upon some Controverted Questions, by Thomas Henry Huxley, in 1892
  116. ↑ Mohammedanism and other religions of Mediterranean countries, by Bettany, G. T. (George Thomas), Publisher: London : Ward, Lock, Bowden and Co., 1892, pp. 167–169
  117. ↑ Review of Reviews and World's Work, Volume 5, by Albert Shaw, Publisher Review of Reviews Corporation, 1892, p. 644
  118. ↑ "A New Religion", The New York Times, 5 June 1892, p. 4, bottom of 4th column, top of 5th.
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