Raffi (poet)

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For other persons of the same name, see Raffi.
A portrait of Raffi the poet.
A portrait of Raffi the poet.
Tombstone of Raffi. Tbilisi, Georgia.
Tombstone of Raffi. Tbilisi, Georgia.

Hakob Melik-Hakobian (also Hagop Hagopian) (1835 Bayajuk (Salmas area), Persia – May 6 [O.S. April 24] 1888 Tbilisi, Georgia), better known by his pen name Raffi (Armenian: Րաֆֆի), was an Armenian author and poet. Raffi was a seminal novelist, often called the founder of the Armenian historical novel.

Originally from Iran, he made his debut as a writer in Tiflis, away from his native land, joining the literary school of Mshak, which was an Armenian journal founded by Grigor Artsruni in 1872. This publication under the leadership of its founder and editor, played a striking role in inspiring enlightenment and causing the awakening of the Armenian people from the lethargy in which the vast majority slumbered for centuries after they lost their political independence in 1393.

[edit] Selected works

  • Jalaleddin (1878)
  • Khent or The Fool (1880)
  • David Bek (1887)
  • Samuel (1888)

[edit] External links

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