"The New Testament of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ, translated from the original Greek into Persian at Sheeraz [Shiraz] by the Rev. Henry Martyn, A.B., Late fellow of St. John's College [Cambridge], and Chaplain of the Bengal Establishment; with the assistance of Meerza Sueyid Ulee [Mirza Sayyid `Ali] of Sheeraz."

-Printed by P. Pereira, at the Hindoostanee Press, for the British and Foreign Bible Society, Calcutta, 1816

-Complete - English title + 741 pp printed in Persian.

-Uncut and bound in modern boards. Toning and some worming to pages (sometimes affecting text). Overall very good condition.

Henry Martyn (1781-1812) was a linguist and missionary who worked for the British East India Company in India and Persia.  Born in Truro, he studied at St John's College Cambridge where he had a talent for languages. Initially planning to become a barrister, he was influenced by the missionaries William Carey and David Brainerd, and trained as a priest. After a period as a deacon he Ely, he volunteered for missionary work and arrived in India in 1806. Once in India his linguistic talents were put to full use and he was able to  translate the New Testament into Urdu, Persian and Judaeo-Persic. 

Although earlier editions of the Persian New Testament had been written, Martyn's edition is regarded as the first translation true to the language. Martyn translated the work into Persia (Shiraz) in collaboration with the native scholar Mirza Sayyid 'Ali. Immersed in the language and culture, Martyn and 'Ali were able to produce a clear and accessible version for a Persian audience. Their translation into Persian was undertaken in just 34 months. The manuscript was sent to Calcutta for printing, where this landmark first edition was published in 1816 in the Persian language. Another edition was produced in St. Petersburg in 1815, but was inaccurate and error filled. This Calcutta version is therefore felt to be the definitive edition of Martyn and Ali's seminal translation.

“A landmark translation of the New Testament into Persian, produced by one of the most accomplished missionary linguists of the early 19th century.”