Mirza Fatali Akhundov Writer
Mirza Fatali Akhundzade (Azerbaijani: Mirzə Fətəli Axundov) or Mirza Fath-Ali Akhundzade, also known as Akhundov (12 July 1812, Nukha – 9 March 1878, Tiflis), was a celebrated Azerbaijani author, playwright, philosopher, and founder of modern literary criticism, "who acquired fame primarily as the writer of European-inspired plays in the Azeri Turkic language". Akhundzade singlehandedly opened a new stage of development of Azerbaijani literature and is also considered one of the founders of modern Iranian literature. He was also the founder of materialism and atheism movement in Azerbaijan and one of forerunners of modern Iranian nationalism.
