He later became Minister of Justice before becoming Prime Minister for the first time in 1915. He would re-assume the office in 1920, and again in 1922 and 1923. One of Pirnia's key actions during his time as Prime Minister saw him help prevent the introduction of the Anglo-Persian Agreement of 1919.
During his final period as prime minister, Pirnia appointed Mohammad Mosaddegh as his foreign minister, retaining Reza Khan as his minister of war.
Books and cultural contributions
Following his retirement, he published a three-volume history of pre-Islamic Iran, entitled Tarikh-e Iran-e Bastan (History of Ancient Iran). An abridged version, Tarikh-e Mukhtasar Iran-e Qadim, published in 1928, became a standard textbook for students. Pirnia's other significant contributions to the cultural life of Iran included helping to set up the Society for the National Heritage of Iran along with Abdolhossein Teymourtash and Mohammad Ali Foroughi in 1922.
Hassan's younger brother, Hossein Pirnia, was also a notable statesman during this period. Known as Mo'tamen al Molk, he served as Minister of Education in 1918 and Minister without portfolio in 1920. He was elected to every session of the parliament (Majlis) from 1906 and served as its speaker for many years. In 1943 he was elected from Tehran to the 14th session of Parliament but declined to serve.
References
^Katouzian, Homa (2006). State and Society in Iran: The Eclipse of the Qajars and the Emergence of the Pahlavis. Library of modern Middle East studies. Vol. 28. I.B.Tauris. p. 61. ISBN1845112725. In January 1913, the Regent appoints Ala al-Saltaneh, and he forms a mixed cabinet which includes Vosuq al-Dawleh, a right-wing Democrat; Mostawfi al- Mamalek, a centrist Democrat; Mostashar al-Dowleh, a left wing Democrat; and the brothers Moshir al-Dawleh and Mo'tamen al-Molk who are popular Moderates.
Ghani, Cyrus, Iran and the Rise of Reza Shah: From Qajar Collapse to Pahlavi Power (I.B. Tauris: London, 2000). ISBN1-86064-629-8
Jane Lewisohn, Flowers of Persian Song and Music: Davud Pirniā and the Genesis of the Golhā Programs, Journal of Persianate Studies, Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 79–101 (2008)
Marashi, Afshin, Nationalizing Iran: culture, power, and the state, 1870-1940 (University of Washington Press, 2008). ISBN0295988207
Moazami, Behrooz State, Religion, and Revolution in Iran, 1796 to the Present p. 41 (Palgrave Macmillan, 2013) ISBN9781137325853
Volodarsky, Mikhail The Soviet Union and Its Southern Neighbours (Taylor & Francis, 2014) ISBN9781135195304