Origins & Early Life

The Báb (born ʻAlí-Muḥammad Shírází; ; Persian: علی‌محمد شیرازی; 20 October 1819 – 9 July 1850) was an Iranian religious leader who founded Bábism, and is also one of the central figures of the Baháʼí Faith. The Báb gradually and progressively revealed his claim in his extensive writings to be a Manifestation of God, of a status as great as Moses, Jesus, and Prophet Muhammad, receiving revelations as profound as the Torah, Gospel, and Quran. This new revelation, he claimed, would release the creative energies and capacities necessary for the establishment of global unity and peace. He referred to himself by the traditional Muslim title "Báb" (meaning "the gate") although it was apparent from the context that he intended by this term a spiritual claim very different from any which had previously been associated with it.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He proclaimed that the central purpose of his mission was to prepare for the coming of a spiritual luminary greater than himself — the promised one of the world's great religions; he referred to this promised deliverer as "he whom God will make manifest". The Báb was the "gateway" to this messianic figure, whose message would be carried throughout the world. The Báb was...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Arthur Hugh Clough — Contemporary (Born in 1819) (1819): English poet and educationalist, known for 'The Bothie of Toper-na-fuosich'
• Charles Kingsley — Contemporary (Born in 1819) (1819): English clergyman, novelist, and social reformer known for Christian socialism.
• Clara Schumann — Contemporary (Born in 1819) (1819): Virtuoso pianist, composer, and teacher of the Romantic era.
• Adalbert Gyrowetz — Contemporary (Died in 1850) (1850): Czech-Austrian composer known for symphonies and string quartets.
• Adam Oehlenschläger — Contemporary (Died in 1850) (1850): Pioneering Danish Romantic poet and playwright who shaped national literature.
• Eduard Bernstein — Contemporary (Born in 1850) (1850): Pioneering revisionist socialist theorist who advocated for gradual, parliamentary paths to socialism.
• Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt — Shared historical date (10-20 · Born) (1877): American sportsman and businessman, known for his involvement in pioneering endeavors.
• Andrey Kolmogorov — Shared historical date (10-20 · Died) (1987): Pioneering Soviet mathematician central to modern probability, topology, and information theory.
• Amanda Knox — Shared historical date (07-09 · Born) (1987): American author and comedian known for her highly publicized trial in Perugia, Italy.
• Amedeo Avogadro — Shared historical date (07-09 · Died) (1856): Pioneering Italian scientist known for Avogadro's law on gas volumes and molecular theory.
• 1819 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1819
• October 20 (10-20) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on October 20
• 1850 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1850
• July 9 (07-09) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on July 9