Description

A first separately published book on feminism in Ottoman language was printed around 1910 in Istanbul It includes a translation and original texts, edited by Baha Tevfik.

The first article is a translation of a text Qu’est-ce que le féminisme? by a French fighter for women’s rights Odette Laguerre, first published in 1905. This is followed by articles on women’s education, morals, civil rights and political situation.

Baha Tevfik – Editor, Philosopher and Anarchist

The book was translated by Baha Tevfik (1884-1914), an unusual, progressive Ottoman writer and publisher, who was inspired by the contemporary modern Western world. Tevfik’s creating broke all the connections with his Islamic heritage, making him an unique Ottoman figure of the time.

A convinced atheist and fierce supporter of the Western philosophy, Tevfik differed from other contemporary Ottoman modern intellectuals, which he often attacked in his work, as he attacked the Ottoman traditions and Islamic rules. He believed in the scientific anarchism as the only way to build the future.

Before his premature death at the age of 30, Tevfik wrote, translated and published a series of texts on philosophy, science, feminism and sexual explorations, many of which would be too decadent even for the contemporary European literature.

We could trace three institutional examples on Worldcat (Orient-Institut Istanbul, Universiteitsbibliotheek Leiden, Harvard University).

References: OCLC 66981680, 234787823, 1197913212. MİL – ÖZEGE; 5477.