Mirza Ali-Akbar Sabir

Biography

Mirza Ali-Akbar Tahirzada (Azerbaijani: میرزا علی اکبر صابر: 30 May 1862 – 12 July 1911), commonly known by his pseudonym Sabir (صابر), was a satirist and poet in the Russian Empire, who played a leading role in development of Azerbaijani literature. He grew up in a religious, middle-class household that opposed modern education. During his adolescence, he became a pupil of the distinguished poet Seyid Azim Shirvani, who established a modern institution where various subjects were taught. With Seyid Azim Shirvani's support, Sabir began translating Persian poetry and writing his own Azerbaijani poetry. Although his father initially wanted him to work in the family grocery store, he eventually accepted Sabir's literary ambitions after the latter's strong opposition, including a failed attempt to flee to Mashhad. In 1903, Sabir published his debut poem in the Tbilisi newspaper Sharq-e Rus, and by 1909, he was writing for the satirical magazine Molla Nasraddin. His works covered a wide range of topics, including political satire and social commentary, often criticizing corrupt officials and religious hypocrisy. Sabir's innovative use of Azerbaijani set his poetry apart from traditional forms. He spent his last years in Baku, where he died in 1911.