Born into privilege in Persia, Ali-Kuli Khan’s youthful indulgences masked a yearning for spiritual purpose. His memoirs—tales of protocol, desert wanderings as a dervish and a fateful trek to ‘Akká—reveal his transformation from pleasure-seeker to English translator for ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Through his eyes, readers glimpse late-19th century Persian society, enriched by anecdotes of prominent figures and rituals of taʿáruf.

Nestled in Haifa’s household for nearly two years, Khan bridged cultures by interpreting tablets and guiding the first American pilgrims. Invited to America in 1901, he did more than translate The Bahá’í Proofs—he met Boston society girl Florence Breed. Their loving letters trace the birth of the first Persian-American Bahá’í marriage, a living testament to unity between East and West.

Told by his daughter and based on papers, this narrative includes the first English rendering of the Tablet of Cremation. It celebrates a life of devotion, literary accomplishment and enduring legacy.