T-Z

Tahirih: (1817-1852) Literally ‘the Pure One’: title given by the Bab to Fitimih Umm-Salamih, also known by the titles Qurratu’l-Ayn (Solace of the Eyes) and Zarrin-Taj (Crown of Gold) – the outstanding heroine of the Babi Dispensation. Born in the same year as Baha’u’llah (1817), she was a woman of learning and the only female Letter of the Living. She was executed in Tehran for her beliefs.

Thompson, Juliet: (1873-1956) Prominent early American Baha’i and artist. She learned about the Faith from May Bolles in Paris and became a Baha'i in 1901. After a few years she settled in New York. In 1909 she went to 'Akka on pilgrimage and met 'Abdu'l-Baha, to whom she became devoted. When He arrived in New York in 1912, she followed Him everywhere and He agreed to allow her to paint His portrait. Juliet wrote a moving story about Mary Magdalen which was published in 1940.

Truth, Sojourner: (c. 179 9-1883) Name taken by IsabeIla Baumfree, black abolitionist and women's rights advocate from Ulster County, New York, who became the first black woman to speak out publicly against slavery.

True, Corinne: (1861-1961) Prominent early Chicago Baha'i teacher and Hand of the Cause of God. Corinne learned of the Baha'i Faith in 1899. The deaths of five of her eight children between 1899 and 1909 drew her closer to the Faith. 'Abdu'l-Baha asked her to spearhead the building of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar (Baha’i temple) in Wilmette, a task she undertook energetically over a number of years and for which she was known as the 'Mother of the Temple'. She was elected to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada in 1922. She was appointed a Hand of the Cause in 1952. Her services are described in Nathan Rutstein, Corinne True, Faithful Handmaid of ‘Abdu'l-Baha (Oxford: George Ronald, 1987).

Tubman, Harriet: (c. 1820-1913) A leading abolitionist during the American Civil War. She escaped from slavery and led more than three hundred slaves to freedom in the North with the aid of the Underground Railroad.

Vahid: Literally ‘Peerless’: Title given by the Bab to a leading Muslim clergyman, Siyyid Yahya (d.1850), an erudite, eloquent, and influential emissary of Muhammad Shah. He was sent by the Shah to interrogate the Bab but was instead converted and became one of the most learned and influential of His followers. He died in the upheaval at Nayriz.

Valiyu'llah Khan-i-Varqa, Mirza: (1884-1955) Prominent Persian Baha'i and Hand of the Cause of God. The son of the martyr-poet Mirza 'Ali-Muhmmad-i-Varqa, Va1iyu'llah Khan-i-Varqa joined ‘Abdu'l-Baha's entourage in America. He was appointed Trustee of the Huququ’llah in 1940 and a Hand of the Cause of God in 1951.

Varqa, Mirza 'Ali-Muhammad: Persian Baha'i martyred, together his twelve-year-old son, Ruhu'llah, by the brutal Hajibu'd-Dawlih.

Waite, Louise R.: (d. 1939) Poet-composer who became a Baha'i sometime before 1902 in Chicago. She was given the Persian name Shahnaz Khanum by the Master.

Wilhelm, Roy C.: (1875-195 1) Prominent New Jersey Baha'i and wealthy entrepreneur posthumously named a Hand of the Cause of God. Roy learned of the Baha'i Faith through his mother but did not become a Baha'i himself until he accompanied his mother on her pilgrimage to 'Akka in 1907. In 1908 he met Martha Root and introduced her to the Faith. In 1909 he was elected to the Executive Board of the Baha'i Temple Unity, serving on this and its successor, the American National Spiritual Assembly, almost continuously until 1946. At 'Abdu'l-Baha's behest, a unity Feast was held in the grounds of his home in West Englewood, New Jersey, in June 1912, an event which is commemorated every year. He was posthumously appointed a Hand of the Cause of God by Shoghi Effendi on December 23, 1951.

Wilson, President Woodrow: (1856-1924) 28th President of the United States (1913-21). His '14 points', upholding democracy and self-determination of states, was intended to form the basis for a peace treaty after World War I. He was largely responsible for the establishment of the League of Nations. His presidency ended in failure when the Versailles treaty was not ratified by the American Senate.

Windust, Albert R.: (1874-1956) Early Chicago Baha'i and publisher. He became a Baha'i in 1897 and was a member of the first Spiritual Assembly of Chicago. He became the first publisher of Baha'i literature in the West, including the Hidden Words. In 1910 he founded and printed the Baha'i magazine Star of the West and later collected and published three volumes of 'Abdu'l-Baha's Tablets to American believers. He also helped Howard MacNutt to publish The Promulgation of Universal Peace.

Wolf, the: Name given by Baha’u’llah to Shaykh Muhammad-Baqir, a divine of Isfahan who in 1879 ordered the death of the two brothers known as the King of Martyrs and the Beloved of Martyrs.

Yahya, Mirza: (c. 1831/2-1912) A younger half-brother of Baha’u’llah who turned against Him and caused division and enmity among the Babis. He was known by the title Subh-i-Azal (Morn of Eternity) given to by the Bab, Who appointed him temporary leader of the Babi community until the appearance of the One foretold by the Bab. He later claimed to be the Bab's successor but was unsuccessful in his spurious challenge and was eventually exiled to Cyprus by the Ottoman authorities at the time Baha’u’llah and His companions were sent to Acre. He died in Cyprus in 1912.

Yamamoto, Kanichi: (1879-1961) First Japanese Baha’i. Kanichi learned of the Faith in Hawaii after leaving Japan. He became a Baha'i in 1902. In 1903 he left Hawaii to become a butler to Helen Goodall's family in Oakland, California. He arranged the meeting at the Japanese YMCA at which 'Abdu'l-Baha spoke on Octobel-7, 1912.

Zarqani, Mirza Mahmud-i-: (c.1875-1924) Persian Baha’i travel teacher and chronicler of ‘Abdu'l-Baha's travels in the Wrest. In his youth Mahmud made travel teaching trips around Iran. From 1903 he began to go to India, where he traveled for several years and learned Urdu. During this period he went on pilgrimage to Haifa, where he was responsible for transcribing Tablets, and from there he accompanied 'Abdu'l-Baha on His journey to Europe and America.