Mirza Reza Khan Arfa-od-dowleh was born in 1854 in Tabriz. Educated in Tabriz and was preparing himself to go to Najaf and continue his theological trainings. But the great flood of Tabriz ruined his father's business and prevented him to follow his education. Later on, he went to Constantinople...

Fatemeh Moezzi
 
Mirza Reza Khan Arfa-od-dowleh was born in 1854 in Tabriz. Educated in Tabriz and was preparing himself to go to Najaf and continue his theological trainings. But the great flood of Tabriz ruined his father's business and prevented him to follow his education. Later on, he went to Constantinople and studied French and English in a Greek school.
 
Tiflis was his next destination. He studied Russian language and history in that city. He was the interpreter of Iranian embassy in the welcome ceremony of Nasseradin Shah from Jolfa to Tabriz. He was employed in this embassy in the same year. Influenced by Mirza Fath Ali Akhunzadeh, he wrote a dissertation on the change of Persian script. Mirza Malkam Khan, being himself a theoretician of this change, entitled him Danesh.
 
He was the interpreter of the commission for delimitation of Irano Russian boundaries. He left some parts of Iranian territories in the favor of Russians. Was the interpreter of Iranian embassy in St. Petersburgh 1886-7. Was Nasseraddin Shah's attendant in his third travel to Europe 1888-9. One year later was entitled Moeen-ol-vezareh and was appointed Iranian consul general in Caucasus. Was appointed Iranian minister to St. Petersburgh 1894-1901. Entitled Arfa-od-dowleh by Nasserddin Shah in 1895. During this period, he managed to obtain two million lira loan from Russia which was mainly distributed among courtiers and himself and some was spent for Mozaffaraddin Shah's first voyage to Europe. It is said that he gilded the tip of the pen by which he has signed the loan contract.
 
In the very days, he was entitled prince Arfa-od-dowleh by Mozaffaraddin Shah. Later, he became Iranian minister in Constantinople. He was invited by Ala-os-saltaneh and was appointed minister of Justice. His last official appointment was his being Iranian representative in the league of Nations for eight years. In 1931-32 he left for Monaco and after six years in 1932-38 died.
 
He was a member of the Awakening lodge de Reveille (the Awakening Lodge) was enchanted by his own many orders and titles.