Niels Ludvig Westergaard

Niels Ludvig Westergaard (27 October 1815 – 9 September 1878) was a Danish Orientalist and professor.

From 1841 to 1844 he journeyed throughout India and Persia, where he conducted important investigations in Bombay and at Persepolis.

In 1844 he began deciphering ancient Elamite cuneiform using the 3-way parallel text of the 6th cent.

BC Behistun Inscription, finding 96 syllabic signs, 16 ideograms, and 5 determinants.

Westergaard was married in 1845 to Christiane Frederikke Orpheline Octava Ryge (1819-1856).