Ali Shariati
 (علی شریعتی )

in Persian) (1933 - June 19, 1977), the Iranian sociologist was born in Mazinan, a suburb of Mashhad, Iran. His father was a progressive nationalist preacher, who would later participate in his movements. As a child he attended high school and elementary in Mashhad.

In his years at the Teacher's Training College, he came into contact with youth who were from the lower economic strata of the society and tasted the poverty and hardship that existed in Iran at that time. At the same time he was exposed by many aspects of Western thought as evident in his writing.

He got his diploma from Sorbonne University in France, then continued his studies and gained a doctorate in sociology from the University of Mashhad. It has been speculated that he was killed by the SAVAK.

Shariati is considered one of the most influential ideologic leaders of the Islamic Revolution of Iran.