Aleksander Borejko ChodŹko was a prominent Polish poet, diplomat, and scholar of the nineteenth century, specializing in Slavic and Persian studies. Born in 1804, he was educated at Vilnius University, where he became associated with the Philomaths, a secret student society, and developed a close friendship with the renowned Polish poet Adam Mickiewicz. ChodŹko's early literary efforts included romantic poetry, which gained him recognition in Polish literary circles.
In the late 1820s, ChodŹko entered the Russian diplomatic service and was stationed in Persia as a consul. This period proved pivotal for his scholarly career. He dedicated himself to studying the Persian language, literature, and folklore, collecting numerous oral traditions, songs, and theatrical texts. His research culminated in several landmark publications, including Specimens of the Popular Poetry of Persia, which introduced Persian folk culture to Western European audiences.
After leaving Persia, ChodŹko settled in France, where he continued his academic pursuits. In 1857, he succeeded Adam Mickiewicz as the chair of Slavic literatures at the Colle8ge de France, a position he held until 1883. Throughout his later years, he published grammatical works, translations, and philological studies, bridging the cultures of the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and the West. He passed away in France in 1891.
