For more about Taghiyev:
(1) Legacy of the Oil Barons by Fuad Akhundov (AI 2:2, Summer 1994)
(2) Just for Kids: The ABCs of Baku (Monogram of Taghiyev) in (AI 6.4, Winter 1998)
(3) Quote: Education of Women - Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev (AI 6:3, Autumn 1998)
(4) Quote: Written Word Brings Happiness - Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev (AI 8:1, Spring 2000)
(5) The Taghiyev Museum (AI 8.2, Summer 2000)
(6) Baku's Architecture - Identity of Architects and Financiers Revealed (AI 9: 4, Winter 2001)
(7) Taghiyev's Commitment to the Water Problem by Manaf Suleymanov (AI 10.2, Summer 2002)
(8) Baku's Search for Water: A Brief Chronology by Mammad Mammadov (AI 10.2, Summer 2002)
(9) National History Museum (AI 13.2, Summer 2005)

Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev (1823-1924), was by far the most generous oil industrialist in Baku during the oil boom of last century. Though he was born into poverty and had no opportunities to receive formal education himself; nevertheless, he became a self-made millionaire and held very progressive attitudes towards the West which are still felt today.

Taghiyev is shown here with his family at the turn of the century in their private residence. Taghiyev built several buildings including the National theater and the building now used to house the Institute of Manuscripts. He patronized musicians, poets, writers, hospitals, banks, and factories. After the Bolsheviks took over the country in 1920, Taghiyev's estates were confiscated and the family totally stripped of their wealth. The residence was converted into a History Museum which now since Azerbaijan's independence in 1991 has reopened as the Taghiyev Museum.

Taghiyev is highly esteemed in Azerbaijan as one of the greatest philathropists. In 1994, the most prestigious National Award was named in his honor - the Taghiyev Prize - which is bestowed upon individuals making the greatest cultural and intellectual contributions to the country.

Taghiyev is shown here with his wife, Sona; his daughter Leyla at piano; Mammed at violin who later committed suicide; and Ilyas at cello who later died in a psychiatric hospital.