Avedis Krikor Sanjian, Professor emeritus of UCLA's Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures, was a world-renowned scholar of Armenian studies who wrote ten books and authored more than 40 articles in English and Armenian. The collection consists of personal and professional correspondence, Armenian studies lectures and notes, Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures faculty meeting minutes, UCLA Armenian studies minutes, brochures and student publications, his research files, publications, slides, microfilm, photos, audio and video tapes, curriculum vitae and biographies.

Avedis K. Sanjian was born on February 24, 1921 in Marash, Turkey. After spending years in Armenian refugee camps in Syria and Lebanon, the Sanjians moved to Palestine in 1926, and three years later settled in the Armenian Quarter of Jerusalem, where he grew up. Sanjian earned two degrees in English: a bachelor's degree from the American University of Beirut in 1949 and a master's degree from the University of Michigan in 1950. He married Helen Karaghuzian in 1950 and they had their son Gregory in 1952. Four years later he became the first graduate student at Michigan to receive a doctorate in Near Eastern Studies.

25.8 linear feet (24 record cartons, 4 document boxes, and 1 shoebox.)

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