CORBIN, Henry (born Henri Eugène Corbin). Paris 14.4.1903 — Paris 7.10.1978. French Philosopher, Theologian and Scholar of Iranian Religion and Islam. Son of Henri Arthur Corbin, a wealthy businessman, and Eugénie Fournier (d. 1903), grew up with an aunt. Born in a Protestant family, but had catholic education. Studied philosophy in Paris (degree 1925), in 1928 led by Massignon to Suhrawardī. Now also studied Arabic and Sanskrit at É.P.H.É. In the 1930s worked in Bibliothèque nationale and spent several periods in Germany, where he met Heidegger. From 1937 taught Lutheran theology at É.P.H.É. During the war, 1940-45 further studies in Istanbul and finally 1945-46 in Tehran. From 1954 taught Islamic studies at É.P.H.É. in Paris (Massignon’s successor), also at École de Louvre, retired 1974. From 1950s on he spent autumns in Tehran as Director of Franco-Iranian Institute (also teaching at university in 1955-73), winters in Paris and springs in Ascona. Hon. dr. 1958 Tehran. Married 1933 Stella Leenhardt (Louise Hélène Camille Stella L., 1910–2003).
Corbin had wide philosophical interests (e.g. Heidegger and Swedenborg), but Iranian Sufi philosophy of Shī‘as was the most important. He emphasized the role of Zoroastrian heritage in Iranian thinking.
Publications: Terre céleste et corps de résurrection. De l’Iran mazdéen à l’Iran shīʿite. 424 p. P. 1960, rev. ed. Corps spirituel et terre céleste: De l’Iran mazdéen à l’Iran shīʿite. 1979, English translation by N. Pearson: Spiritual Body and Celestial Earth: From Mazdean Iran to Shi’ite Iran. Bollingen Series 91. Princeton 1977.
– Histoire de la philosophie islamique. 1-2. P. 1964, English translation 1993; En Islam Iranien: Aspects spirituels et philosophiques. 1-4. P. 1971-73; and other works on Islamic philosophy, especially on Sufism, also wrote on Western philosophy, e.g. Heidegger.
Sources: *P. Filippani-Ronconi, E&W 4, 1953, 259-262; *Ch.-H. Fouchécour, JA 267, 1979, 231-237; *Chr. Jambet, Henry Corbin. P. 1981; H. Landolt, “H.C., 1903–1978: Between Philosophy and Orientalism”, JAOS 119, 1999, 484-490; M. Moramalco, “L’ultima tappa di H.C.”, Franci 1985, 125-132; D. Shayegan, Encyclop. Iranica 6, 1993, 268-272; Wikipedia with further references (see also French and German versions).
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