Ivane Javakhishvili

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Ivane Javakhishvili (Georgian: ივანე ჯავახიშვილი; April 11, 1876 - November 18, 1940) was a Georgian historian and public benefactor, co-founder of the Tbilisi State University, one of founders of the modern scientific school of history of Georgia and the Caucasus, Academician (Full Member) of the Academy of Sciences of former Soviet Union (Russian Academy of Sciences now), Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor.

Javakhishvili was born in Tbilisi. His father, Prince Alexandre Javakhishvili was a teacher of the Gymnasium. In 1895 Javakhishvili graduated from the 1st Classical Gymnasium of Tbilisi. In 1899 he graduated from the Faculty of Oriental Studies of the Petersburg University (Russia). In 1899-1901 he was Post-Graduate Student of this University.

In 1901 - 1902 he was Visiting Scientist of the Berlin University (Germany). In 1902 with Academician Niko Marr Javakhishvili visited the old Archives of Sinai.

In 1902 - 1917 Javakhishvili was Associate Professor of the Department of the Georgian and Armenian Linguistics of the Faculty of Oriental Studies of the Petersburg University. In 1907 he received Magister degree in History.

In 1907 - 1917 he was head of the scientific circle of Georgian Students of the Petersburg University. In 1918 Javakhishvili received scientific title of Professor.

In 1918 he co-founded the Tbilisi State University (TSU). In 1919 - 1926 - Rector of this University (First Rector was Professor Petre Melikishvili). In 1918 - 1938 he headed the Department of History of Georgia of TSU. In 1936 - 1940 Javakhishvili headed the Department of History of the State Museum of Georgia.

In 1935 he received Dr.Sci. degree in the field of History. In 1939 was elected Academician (Full Member) of the Academy of Sciences of Soviet Union.

Main fields of scientific activity of Ivane Javakhishvili were: history of Georgia and the Caucasus, source studies and historiography of the history of Georgia and the Caucasus, history of Georgian economics and Georgian Law, ethnology of the Caucasus, ethnography of Georgia, study of the Caucasian languages. He was author of more than 170 scientific-research works (about 20 monographs).

Javakhishvili died on November 18, 1940, in Tbilisi. He is buried in the garden of the Tbilisi State University.