Vahakn Dadrian facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Vahakn Dadrian
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| Born |
Vahakn Norair Dadrian
May 26, 1926 Istanbul (Constantinople), Turkey
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| Died | August 2, 2019 (aged 93) Geneseo, New York, U.S.
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| Awards | see below |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Sociology |
| Institutions | Zoryan Institute |
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Vahakn Norair Dadrian (Armenian: Վահագն Տատրեան; born May 26, 1926 – died August 2, 2019) was an Armenian-American sociologist and historian. He was born in Turkey.
Dadrian became a professor of sociology. He was also a historian and a leading expert on the Armenian genocide. This was a terrible event where many Armenians lost their lives.
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Early Life and Education
Dadrian was born in 1926 in Turkey. His family experienced great losses during the Armenian genocide. This event deeply affected his life and work.
He first studied mathematics at the University of Berlin. Later, he changed his focus completely. He studied philosophy at the University of Vienna. After that, he studied international law at the University of Zürich.
He earned his Ph.D. (a very high university degree) in sociology from the University of Chicago. Dadrian was very good with languages. He knew German, English, French, Turkish, Ottoman Turkish, and Armenian. This helped him study old records from many countries.
From 1970 to 1991, Dadrian taught sociology. He was a professor at the State University of New York-College at Geneseo. He also directed Genocide Research at the Zoryan Institute. This institute studies genocides around the world.
Contributions and Recognition
Dadrian received an honorary doctorate degree. This was for his important research on the Armenian Genocide. The Armenian National Academy of Sciences gave him this honor.
In 1998, he became a member of the Academy. The President of Armenia also honored him. He received the Khorenatzi medal, which is a top cultural award in Armenia. In 1999, he was given the Mesrob Mashdots Medal. This award came from the Holy See of Cilicia.
The Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation supported his work. He led a big project to study genocide. This project led to many articles. These articles were published in magazines like Holocaust and Genocide Studies.
He was a main speaker at the 100th anniversary of the John Marshall Law School. In 1995, he gave a speech to the British House of Commons. He also received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
Dadrian gave many lectures in different languages. He spoke at universities in cities like Berlin, Munich, Parma, Zürich, and Amsterdam. He also lectured at UNESCO's center in Paris.
Passing and Legacy
Vahakn Dadrian passed away on August 2, 2019. He was 93 years old. After his death, the President of Armenia, Armen Sarkissian, sent his condolences. He expressed sadness to Dadrian's family and friends.
Dadrian wished for his remains to be cremated. They were then taken to Armenia for burial. He was buried in Tokhmakh Cemetery in Yerevan, Armenia. A state ceremony was held at the Armenian National Academy of Sciences.
In August 2022, some people noticed his grave was unmarked. His former student, Taner Akçam, helped bring attention to this. The grave was then cleaned, and a temporary marker was placed. The Armenian government explained that work on his gravestone was delayed. This was due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a war in 2020. They promised the work would continue soon.
Awards and Honors
Here are some of the awards Vahakn Dadrian received:
- Citation of Merit on the 80th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide (1995)
- Movses Khorenatsi medal (1998)
- Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, Atayan Memorial Gold Medal (2000)
- John Marshall Law School, 100th Anniversary Lifetime Achievement Medal (2000)
- Veritas Gold Medal of Harvard University (2001)
- Ellis Island Medal of Honor
- International Association of Genocide Scholars, Lifetime Achievement Award (2005)
- U.S. Congress Medal of Esteem for Scholarship (2005)
- St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Medal and Encyclical from Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians (2005)
- President of the Republic Prize Gold Medal of Armenia (2009)
