Literary scholar, Ph.D., professor, correspondent member of the Academy of Sciences of the ASSR, and honored figure of science of the ASSR
Mkryan was born on October 9, 1907, in Van. In 1919, with many Armenians who escaped from the Great Genocide, M. Mkryan found refuge in Yerevan. After graduating Kh. Abovyan secondary school he moved to Nor Bayazet (now Gavar) and worked as a teacher. A year later, he was admitted to the Faculty of History of YSU.
In 1930, after graduating from the university, M. Mkryan was admitted to the YSU postgraduate course. Since 1933, he has been engaged in scientific and pedagogical activities. In 1939, Mkryan defended his candidate's thesis, and in 1945 - a doctoral thesis. In 1946, he became a professor. In 1956, Mkryan was elected a correspondent member of the ASSR Academy of Sciences.
In 1941-1947 and 1957-1976, Mkryan was the dean of the YSU Philology Faculty, in 1954-1980, the head of the Armenian Literature Chair, and in 1947-1953, Mkryan was the director of the Institute of Literature after M. Abeghyan.
In 1938, Mkryan published his compilation "Armenian Secular Literature of XIII-XVIII centuries" collection, in the extensive preface of which he valued the works of Frik, Konstantin Yerznkatsi, Kuchak, Sayat-Nova and others with a new approach. In the monograph "Grigor Narekatsi" (Yerevan, 1955) M. Mkryan has newly discovered the national and universal value of the genius thinker's work. Mkryan also authored the monographs "Pages from the History of Armenian Fiction" (Yerevan, 1957), "Movses Khorenatsi: life and works" (Yerevan, 1970), "Isahakyan's humanism" (Yerevan, 1975), "Hovhannes Tumanyan's work" (Yerevan, 1981).
M. Mkryan is also the author of university and school textbooks: "History of Ancient Armenian Literature (V-X centuries)" (in two volumes, Yerevan, 1976), "Armenian Literature" for the 8th grade of the general education school (12 editions).
M. Mkryan gave reports at republican and all-union conferences. His works have been translated into Russian, Georgian, and other languages.
In 1961, M. Mkryan became an Honored Worker of Science of the ASSR, as well as received the medal "Badge of Honor".
Mkryan passed away on October 26, 1983, in Yerevan.
