architect anthropologist archaeologist art historian university professor
A graduate of the École des Beaux-Arts of Paris, he studied Middle Eastern archaeology, particularly that of Iran, and later became known for designing the National Museum of Iran, where he was appointed inaugural director in 1936.
He also served as director of Iranian Archeological Service (Institute for Advanced Study ) (Edāre-ye kol-e "atiqāt). He was also instrumental in the design of Tehran University campus. He made his first trip to the Middle East in 1910 with Henri Violle.
Together, they began to excavate the ancient ruins of Samarra, located in modern-day Iraq.
The ruins were fully excavated a few years later by German-born archaeologist Ernst Herzfeld. Godard returned to his architectural studies in 1912, focusing on Islamic architecture of Egypt.
After World War I, Godard married Yeda Reuilly. In 1928, Godard was granted the directorship of Iranian Archeological Services, by the authority of Reza Shah.
The Institute for Advanced Study was intended to mark the end of French monopoly over excavation in Iran.
As such, Godard focused on the politics of conservation, and held the title of Director from 1928-1953, then again from 1956-1960. Reza Shah also appointed him director of the National Museum of Iran (Muze-ye Irân-e Bāstān). During his tenure, Godard was responsible for the restoration of major historic monuments of Iran, such as the Friday Mosque, the Shah Mosque, and Mosque of Sheikh Lutfallah of Isfahan among others
Using his directorships, he organized large excavations of bronzes of Luristan, Persepolis and Isfahan.
He was also instrumental, together with fellow architect Maxime Siroux, in the design of the National Library of Iran, Tomb of Hafez, and Central Pardis, the main campus of the University of Tehran. During World World War II Godard opposed the Vichy government of France and when the Vichy diplomatic representatives were expelled from Tehran in 1942, helped form the Free France Committee and later become the official diplomatic representative of the provisional government in Tehran.
Godard returned to Paris in 1960, where he continued to write on Iranian art He died in Paris on 31 July 1965, prior to the Iranian Revolution.