Teimuraz Batonishvili

Teimuraz Batonishvili (Bagrationi) (1782-1846), Writer and scolar, son of Georgian King Giorgi XII, born in Tbilisi. He studied at the Theological Seminary of Telavi in Kakheti Region, Georgia. In 1803 he fled to Persia, where he lived with his uncle Aleksandre Batonishvili. In 1810, soon after he returned to the homeland, he was sent to Petersburg, where they fixed to him a yearly salary and allowance. In 1813 he bought a house on Vasilevsky Island, where he lived until his death. Teimuraz Batonishvili was engaged in an active scientific and literary activity; he had close contacts with Russian public figures, poets and scientists. At the same time he surrounded himself with Georgian men of letters. In 1830 he began scientific collaboration with Academician M. Brosse. Together with academician Mari Brosse he founded a Petersburg school of Kartvelology (Georgian Studies). Teimuraz Batonishvili conducted fruitful scientific work. His historic composition The History of the Origins of Iveria is worth of special attention. He did a great job of researching and verifying the text of The Man In Panther’s Skin. In 1841 he published the updated version of Sh. Rustaveli’s epic poem. Apart from mastering the principles of Georgian versification, he wrote poems and memoirs. He was an Honorary Member of Imperial Academy of Sciences of Petersburg (1837) and member of Asian Society of Paris and Royal Antiquarian Society of Copenhagen.

Teimuraz Batonishvili died in St. Petersburg.