As the Suna Kıraç Library, we are delighted to have welcomed this year the personal collection of Prof. Dr. Cornell H. Fleischer, one of the distinguished scholars of Ottoman and Islamic historiography. Fleischer’s books, notes, and archival materials, through which he left a profound mark on the academic world, now occupy their place on our shelves, offering new avenues of discovery for researchers.
Cornell Fleischer was renowned for his innovative interpretations of the political institutions, intellectual life, and cultural fabric of the Ottoman Empire. His scholarship not only shaped Ottoman historiography but also contributed to our understanding of early modern world history through a distinctly interdisciplinary lens. The intellectual legacy of our esteemed professor, who passed away in 2023, continues to live on through this collection he built over many years.
The arrival of the collection at our library offers an exceptional opportunity to gain insight into the building blocks of a historian’s intellectual world. Of the approximately 1,869 materials in the collection, around 1,200 books have been cataloged and placed on the shelves, ready to welcome their users. The collection presents remarkable diversity, encompassing both foundational works and contemporary scholarship.
Among its treasures are titles such as Juan de Persia’s Don Juan of Persia, Gustav Flügel’s 19th-century catalogues, Sven Hedin’s travel narratives, and an 1899 edition of Ömer Hayyam’s Rubaiyat. Alongside these, the works of prominent contemporary scholars such as Abdurrahman Atçıl, Baki Tezcan, Stephen Frederic Dale, and Nikolay Antov also feature in the collection. This breadth allows researchers to explore both classical and modern literature under one roof.
The Cornell H. Fleischer Collection stands as an invaluable resource especially for those working on Ottoman political history, social structures, intellectual networks, and cultural interactions. Yet its scope extends far beyond these fields; it offers rich material capable of inspiring new research questions across disciplines such as history, literature, cultural studies, and intellectual history.
Our efforts to make the collection fully accessible continue with dedication, and as of today, a significant portion is already available for use. Koç University affiliates, students, faculty, administrative staff, and library members, as well as ANAMED Library external members can consult the carefully curated materials of this collection by visiting our libraries, gaining the opportunity to situate their research within deeper scholarly contexts. Fleischer’s intellectual legacy now opens the door to new studies, new questions, and new meanings within our spaces.
Hosting this special selection from Prof. Dr. Cornell H. Fleischer’s academic journey is not only a library project for us, but also an expression of our deep respect for him. His intellectual heritage continues to illuminate our library, and we extend our sincere gratitude to everyone whose contributions made this donation possible.
İrem Ünal
