Freydoun Malcolm Khan

Freydoun Malcolm (variably spelled Malkom) was the fourth child and first son of an Armenian aristocrat from Persia, Mirza Malkom Khan (1834-1908). His father was a diplomat, newspaper editor, and political reformer during the Persian Qajar dynasty. He headed the first Persian embassy in the United States during the presidency of James Buchanan. At the time that Freydoun was born, his father was serving in London as minister plenipotentiary (since 1873) and later as ambassador. Freydoun and his father used the spelling of “Malcolm” for their surname in Europe.

Freydoun graduated from Eton and attended the French military academy, St. Cyr. Freydoun was appointed special adjutant at the Persian Embassy in Paris and later in Rome. During this time, he competed in the épée event of the 1900 Paris Olympics but was eliminated in the second round. Based on his and his father’s long diplomatic service, they were awarded the title of “prince” even though not related to the shah.