10 Most Influential Armenian Lawyers and Scholars

Published in

Heritage Digest

13 min readMar 11, 2024

Armenia, a land with a rich historical tapestry, has produced remarkable individuals who have left an indelible mark on the world of law. Armenian lawyers have played pivotal roles throughout history, from advocating for justice to shaping legal landscapes. This article will explore the lives and contributions of the ten most influential Armenian lawyers, each leaving their unique imprint on the legal profession.

Grigor Magistros (990–1058)
Mkhitar Gosh (1130–1213)
Aram Manukian (1879–1919)
Diana Abgar (1859–1937)
Levon Khechoyan (1955–2014)
Hrant Dink (1954–2007)
Vartkes Yeghiayan (1936–2017)
Krikor Zohrab (1861–1915)
Vartan Gregorian (1934–2021)
Hovhannes Shiraz (1914–1984)

1. Grigor Magistros (990–1058)

Grigor Magistros was born around 990 into the prestigious Pahlavuni family, with lineage tracing back to St. Gregory the Illuminator. His father, Vasak Pahlavuni, was a military commander, indicating a noble and influential upbringing for Grigor. This background gave him a robust foundation for future scholarly and administrative pursuits. Grigor’s early life was likely marked by exposure to both ecclesiastical and secular education, setting the stage for his multifaceted career.

Magistros’ educational journey was extensive and diverse, covering both religious and secular literature, including Syriac and Greek languages. His passion for knowledge led him to collect and study Armenian manuscripts of scientific and philosophical value. Grigor Magistros was a collector and a translator, notably translating several of Plato’s works into Armenian. This intellectual pursuit reflected his commitment to preserving and disseminating knowledge, significantly contributing to Armenian cultural and intellectual heritage.

Grigor Magistros’ career was multifaceted, encompassing roles as a prince, linguist, scholar, and public functionary. As the governor of Edessa under Byzantine rule, he actively worked against the Tondrakians, a heretical Armenian sect, showcasing his involvement in both religious and political spheres. His written works, especially his “Letters,” provide valuable insights into his time's political and religious issues. His poetic achievements, influenced by Homeric Greek and Arabic, include a metrical narrative of biblical events, demonstrating his versatility as a scholar. His influence extended to his son, Grigor II Vkayaser, who followed in his footsteps as a scholar and ecclesiastic leader, further cementing Magistros’ legacy in Armenian history.

2. Mkhitar Gosh (1130–1213)

Mkhitar Gosh was born in 1130 in Gandzak, a period later known as the Armenian Renaissance. His early life and education were rooted in public institutions, which provided a broad foundation for his later pursuits. As a child, Gosh was drawn towards a life of religious devotion, a decision that profoundly influenced his career and contributions. His upbringing in Gandzak, a notable cultural and intellectual center, likely significantly shaped his intellectual curiosity and commitment to scholarly endeavors.

Determined to deepen his theological knowledge, Gosh traveled to Cilicia and the Black Mountains (Sev Lerner) as an adolescent. Here, he studied orthodox theology under local priests, honing his understanding of religious doctrines and practices. This period of intensive study was crucial in shaping his theological perspective and later writings. His time in Cilicia, a hub of Armenian culture and learning, was instrumental in his development as a scholar and priest, setting the stage for his future contributions to Armenian legal and religious literature.

Mkhitar Gosh’s major achievements lie in his scholarly and religious contributions. He is renowned for authoring a comprehensive code of laws, encompassing civil and canon law, which became a cornerstone of legal practice in Greater Armenia and Cilicia. Remarkably, his legal code extended beyond Armenian borders, influencing the laws governing Armenians in Poland under King Sigismund the Old from 1519 until the 18th century. Gosh’s literary legacy also includes a collection of popular fables, reflecting his versatility as a writer. He founded the Nor Getik monastery, later renamed Goshavank in his honor, where he was eventually interred. His work profoundly impacted Armenian culture and law, with his law codex being adapted by Sempad the Constable in the 13th century, further cementing his legacy as a pivotal figure in Armenian history.

3. Aram Manukian (1879–1919)

Aram Manukian, born as Sargis Hovhannisian on March 19, 1879, was a key Armenian revolutionary and statesman. His early life was marked by his education at the Agulyats School in Shushi and later at the city’s diocesan school, where he joined the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun). The environment in these institutions and his early exposure to revolutionary ideals shaped his future path significantly. Born to Harutyun, a gunsmith, and Sona, a housewife, in either Zeyva village in Zangezur or Shushi, Manukian was the youngest of five children. His upbringing in a region rife with political and social upheaval undoubtedly influenced his later actions and beliefs.

Aram Manukian’s primary contribution to Armenian history was as a leader and organizer within the Armenian community, particularly in Van. His activities were characterized by his drive to prepare Armenians for self-defense and his efforts to minimize Ottoman government interference in Armenian matters. His leadership during the Siege of Van in 1915 was a critical moment in Armenian history, where he led the successful defense of the city, saving thousands from deportation and massacre during the Armenian Genocide. Manukian’s role in Van earned him significant respect and recognition within the Armenian community and beyond.

In the later stages of his life, Manukian moved to Yerevan, where he played a pivotal role in establishing the First Republic of Armenia in 1918. He served as the republic’s first minister of internal affairs and was a driving force behind organizing the defense against the advancing Turkish army at the Battle of Sardarabad. Unfortunately, typhus cut his life short in 1919, but his legacy as a unifier and a leader dedicated to the Armenian cause remained influential. His role in establishing the First Republic of Armenia and his advocacy for Armenian self-reliance and unity against external threats are remembered as his most significant achievements.

4. Diana Abgar (1859–1937)

Diana Abgar, born as Diana Agabeg (Agabegian) on October 17, 1859, in Rangoon, British Burma (now Yangon, Myanmar), was a notable Armenian diaspora writer, humanitarian, and diplomat. She was born into a family with Armenian heritage; her father was from New Julfa, Iran, and migrated to Southeast Asia, while her mother, Avet, was from Shiraz, Iran. Diana was the youngest of seven children. Raised in Calcutta, she received her education at a local convent school, becoming fluent in English, Armenian, and Hindustani. Her upbringing in a multicultural environment and her education played a significant role in shaping her worldviews and linguistic skills.

Diana’s most notable achievement was her appointment as the Honorary Consul to Japan of the First Republic of Armenia, making her the first female Armenian diplomat and one of the first female diplomats in the 20th century. In this capacity, she played a crucial role in Japan’s recognition of the Republic of Armenia in 1920, an unprecedented diplomatic success. However, her diplomatic career was short-lived due to the fall of the First Republic of Armenia in the same year. Despite the brevity of her official diplomatic role, her appointment was a groundbreaking moment in the history of female participation in international diplomacy.

Abgar’s contributions extended beyond her diplomatic role. After handing over her family business to her son, she focused on her literary, humanitarian, and diplomatic career, using her voice to raise global awareness about the plight of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire and writing extensively about the Armenian Genocide. She authored over nine books and numerous articles on international relations, imperialism, and global peace. Some of her notable works include “The Great Evil,” “Peace and No Peace,” and “On the Cross of Europe’s Imperialism: Armenia Crucified.” Diana Abgar passed away on July 8, 1937, in Yokohama, Japan, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneering female diplomat and a committed advocate for Armenian causes and global peace.

5. Levon Khechoyan (1955–2014)

Levon Khechoyan, an Armenian writer and novelist, was born on December 8, 1955, in the village of Baraleti in the Akhalkalaki district of the Georgian SSR. His upbringing in this region, when Armenia was part of the Soviet Union, likely exposed him to cultural and political influences. This environment possibly fostered his later literary creativity. After moving to Hrazdan, Armenia, in 1987, he immersed himself in the cultural life of his homeland.

Khechoyan’s educational journey led him to the Gyumri State Pedagogical Institute, where he graduated in 1983 with an M.A. in philology. His academic background in philology, the study of language in written historical sources, undoubtedly influenced his later works, particularly in historical fiction. Additionally, his participation in the first Artsakh War could have deeply impacted his worldview and writing, as such experiences often leave a profound imprint on authors.

Khechoyan began writing as an author in his teenage years. His first significant literary accomplishment was the publication of “Trees of Incense” in 1991, a collection of short stories. He is also known for his historical novel “King Arshak and Eunuch Drastamat.” His works, recognized for their depth and historical insight, have been translated into multiple languages, including Russian, English, and Ukrainian. In 2000, he was honored with the Gold Reed Literary Award for his book ‘Black Book, Heavy Bug.’ Notably, in 2013, he made a bold statement by refusing to accept the Medal for Services to the Homeland from President Serzh Sargsyan, citing his protest against the socioeconomic and political situation in Armenia. Khechoyan passed away on January 8, 2014, leaving a legacy as a distinguished Armenian literary figure.

6. Hrant Dink (1954–2007)

Hrant Dink, a respected Turkish-Armenian intellectual, journalist, and editor-in-chief of the bilingual newspaper Agos, was born on September 15, 1954, in Malatya, Turkey. He grew up in a challenging family environment; his father’s gambling debts led the family to Istanbul, where Dink and his brothers were eventually placed in the Gedikpaşa Armenian Orphanage due to their parents’ separation. This early hardship in life perhaps shaped his future as a compassionate and understanding individual, deeply connected to the struggles of minorities and the marginalized.

A strong interest in language and societal issues marked Dink’s educational journey. He attended primary and secondary Armenian schools in Istanbul, displaying a keen interest in the Armenian language and culture. Though not completed, his later studies in zoology and philosophy at Istanbul University indicate a broad intellectual curiosity. His involvement with TİKKO, a Maoist organization, during his university years, reflects his early engagement with political and social issues. However, he ultimately chose a path of advocacy through journalism rather than armed struggle.

Dink’s most significant achievements lay in his role as the editor-in-chief of Agos, through which he became a prominent voice for the Armenian community in Turkey. He was a staunch advocate for Turkish-Armenian reconciliation and was actively involved in human rights and minority rights issues. His work often challenged the official narratives regarding the Armenian Genocide, leading to legal troubles under Turkey’s contentious Article 301. Tragically, Dink was assassinated in Istanbul on January 19, 2007, a crime that caused widespread national and international outcry and led to calls for reform in Turkish law and society. His funeral saw an outpouring of grief and solidarity, with over a hundred thousand mourners, indicative of the significant impact he had on many lives.

7. Vartkes Yeghiayan (1936–2017)

Vartkes Boghos Yeghiayan, a prominent Armenian-American attorney specializing in international law, was born on April 6, 1936, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to a wealthy Armenian family originally from the Ottoman Empire. His father, Boghos, was an orphaned survivor of the Armenian genocide, and his mother, Aroussiag Terzian, had connections with the Ethiopian royal family. This background allowed Yeghiayan and his siblings to study abroad. At age eleven, he was sent to an American boarding school in Cyprus, and in 1954, he moved to the United States for further education.

Yeghiayan’s academic journey was diverse and comprehensive. He initially enrolled at Indiana University before transferring to Berkeley, where he graduated with a Bachelor's in History in 1959. His passion for law led him to the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, and he completed his Juris Doctor at Lincoln Law School in 1965. Yeghiayan’s early career included working for a small firm in Oakland and joining California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA), where he became the Northern California Regional Director.

Yeghiayan’s legal career was marked by significant achievements and contributions, especially in Armenian genocide awareness and reparation efforts. His most notable work involved launching several lawsuits against insurance companies for policies issued to Armenians during the early 20th century. His efforts led to substantial settlements, including a $20 million agreement with New York Life in 2004 and a $17.5 million settlement with AXA in 2005. These legal victories not only provided compensation to the descendants of genocide victims but also brought greater international attention to the Armenian genocide. Yeghiayan’s commitment to this cause was deeply personal, stemming from his family’s history and the broader Armenian experience of injustice and displacement. He passed away on September 30, 2017, leaving a legacy of legal activism and a significant contribution to the Armenian community’s pursuit of justice and recognition.

8. Krikor Zohrab (1861–1915)

Krikor Zohrab was born into a wealthy family in Beşiktaş, Constantinople (now Istanbul), on June 26, 1861. After completing his early education at a local Armenian Catholic school, Zohrab pursued civil engineering at Galatasaray Institute but shifted his focus to law. He graduated from the Imperial University of Jurisprudence (now Istanbul University Faculty of Law) in 1882, marking the start of his distinguished legal career. Zohrab’s proficiency in law led him to a professorship at the university, teaching future generations of legal professionals.

Zohrab’s legal career was notable for his fearless defense of Armenians charged with various political and criminal offenses during the turbulent years of 1895–96. His audacious defense of a Bulgarian revolutionary, in which he accused a Turkish official of torture, led to his disbarment and exile. However, his legal acumen and commitment to justice were undiminished. Following the Young Turks’ revolution in 1908, Zohrab returned to prominence, becoming a member of the Ottoman Parliament and serving as an Armenian councilor, actively advocating for Armenian rights and interests.

Zohrab’s life was tragically cut short during the Armenian Genocide. As a respected lawyer and politician, he tirelessly worked to halt the atrocities against Armenians. Despite warnings to flee the country, Zohrab remained committed to his cause. He was arrested in June 1915 and, while being transported to appear before a military court, was murdered between July 15 and July 20, 1915, by a band of brigands. His death was a significant loss to both the legal and Armenian communities, marking the end of a career dedicated to justice and equality.

9. Vartan Gregorian (1934–2021)

Vartan Gregorian, an Armenian-American academic, educator, and historian, was born on April 8, 1934, in Tabriz, Iran, to Armenian parents Samuel B. Gregorian and Shushanik Mirzaian. His father worked for the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, and his mother had connections with the Ethiopian royal family. After his mother’s death when he was six, Gregorian and his sister were raised by their maternal grandmother. His early education included Armenian and Russian schools in Tabriz and further studies at the Collège Armenien in Beirut, where Simon Vratsian, the last prime minister of the First Republic of Armenia, influenced him.

Gregorian’s academic journey led him to the United States, where he initially intended to teach Armenian history. He attended Stanford University, completing his BA in history and humanities in two years and earning a dual PhD in history and humanities. Gregorian’s dissertation focused on “Traditionalism and Modernism in Islam.” He began his teaching career at the University of California, Berkeley. He later taught at several other institutions, including San Francisco State College, UCLA, and the University of Texas at Austin.

Vartan Gregorian’s contributions to academia and cultural institutions were significant. He served as the Tarzian Professor of Armenian and Caucasian History at the University of Pennsylvania and later as the provost. His tenure as president of the New York Public Library was marked by revitalizing the institution and securing substantial funding. Gregorian also served as the first foreign-born president of Brown University, enhancing its reputation and financial standing. He led the Carnegie Corporation from 1997 until his passing on April 15, 2021. Gregorian’s work earned him numerous accolades, including the National Humanities Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. His legacy as an educator and advocate for humanities and cultural understanding remains influential.

10. Hovhannes Shiraz (1914–1984)

Hovhannes Shiraz, a renowned Armenian poet, was born Onik Tadevosi Karapetyan in Alexandropol (now Gyumri), Armenia, on April 27, 1914. He was born into a world of hardship; his mother, Astghik, became a widow due to the Armenian Genocide just before his birth. Shiraz experienced a childhood marked by considerable poverty, shaping his perspectives and creative expressions. His early experiences in life deeply influenced his poetic themes, often reflecting the struggles and resilience of the Armenian people.

Shiraz’s educational journey began in 1937 when he entered the Armenian Literature Department of Yerevan State University. He pursued his studies until 1941, further enriching his literary foundations at the Moscow Maxim Gorky Literature Institute. In 1958, he published “Knar Hayastani” (Lyre of Armenia), the first volume of his anthology, followed by subsequent volumes in 1965 and 1974. These collections captured the essence of Shiraz’s poetic genius, showcasing his mastery in weaving words with profound emotional depth and patriotic fervor.

Shiraz’s literary achievements are vast and diverse, encompassing numerous patriotic and love poems, including “Ani,” “My Mother,” and “My Holy Homeland.” He boldly tackled the subject of the Armenian Genocide through his work “The Armenian Dante-esque,” despite the restrictions imposed by the Soviet regime. This poem, spanning over 8000 lines, was published posthumously in 1990 in Yerevan. Shiraz’s contributions to Armenian literature have been immortalized in his homeland and internationally, with many of his works translated into various languages. His poetic legacy continues to inspire and resonate with readers around the world.