Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Center

With thousands of books, videos, maps, pictures, and other resources, the Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Center, founded in 1987, helps researchers, academics, teachers, and the community-at-large learn about the Armenian community and its rich and noble history. 

The holdings of the center include extensive information on the history and customs of the Armenian Church and the American Dioceses, the Armenian Genocide, and the current Armenian political culture.  The Center's director is Fr. Krikor Maksoudian.  For more information, email the center at zic@armeniandiocese.org.

Krikor Zohrab, Armenian Patriot, Political Leader, and Parliamentarian

Krikor Zohrab was born on June 26, 1861, in Istanbul, Turkey.  One of the outstanding Armenian political leaders of his era, he was murdered by the Ottoman Turkish government in 1915, at the outset of the Genocide which culminated in the massacre of 1.5 million Armenians.

Initially, Zohrab studied civil engineering; he later chose law, receiving his law degree from the Imperial College of Jurisprudence in 1882.  A writer and community leader, he became a well-known trial lawyer and was acclaimed for his dauntless attacks on injustice and corruption.  During his years in political life, beginning in 1908, Zohrab championed the cause of the Armenians in the capital and the provinces: as a member of the Ottoman Chamber of Deputies, he was acclaimed as "the most eloquent parliamentarian in the Turkish government."

Zohrab married the beautiful Clara Yazidjian in 1888.  Like Zohrab, she too was a member of a distinguished Armenian family.  They had four children: Dolores, Hermine, Leon, and Annen.  After his death, the family fled to Europe.  Dolores married the late Henry Leibmann, an American prominent in the brewing business.  Over the years, she has supported numerous charitable and philanthropic causes, an extensive scholarship program at Columbia University for students of Armenian origin, and now The Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Center.  Mrs. Leibmann has been accorded "The Order of St. Nersess Shnorhali" by His Holiness Vasken I, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, for her religious and secular contributions.

Despite Krikor Zohrab's acknowledged leadership in a totally dominated male culture, through his writings he had significant influence as a feminist, championing the liberation of women.  A prolific short story writer, most of his works are collected in three volumes: "Voices of Conscience" (1909); "Life As It Is" (1911); and "Silent Griefs" (1911).

His first major novel was "Lost Generation," which deals with the psychological conflicts and aspirations of the young.  His other works include literary sketches, travel notes, and memoirs.  "Familiar Faces" consists of 17 articles on the prominent personalities of his time.  According to Zohrab, his "Diary of a Traveler" expresses his entire philosophy of life.  This book, based on his time living in Europe from 1895 to 1908, was published posthumously in 1922.