Sadegh Hedayat (Persian: صادق هدایت) was an Iranian writer and translator, best known for his novel The Blind Owl. He was one of the earliest Iranian writers to adopt literary modernism in their career. Hedayat is considered one of the greatest Iranian writers of the 20th century. His impact on the intellectual circles of Iran was profound, as evidenced by the extensive writings about his life, works, and his suicide.

Although Hedayat is most celebrated for his writing, he also made significant contributions as a translator, bringing works of great writers to Persian readers. His legacy continues to influence the Iranian literary landscape, marking him as a pivotal figure in contemporary Iranian literature. Hedayat died by suicide in Paris on April 9, 1951, and is buried in the Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris.