Abdurrahman Şeref Efendi's Historiography and His Work Entitled "Tarih-i Devlet-i Osmaniyye (History of the Ottoman State)"

This study will be focusing on one of the intellectuals from late Ottoman Empire period, who emerged with his versatile personality and wisdom, who lived through periods from Absolutism to Constitutionalism and from Constitutionalism to Republican period, who witnessed replacement of the Ottoman Empire with young Turkish Republic, who participated within various political movements during this long time period, who is an important government official, politician, one of the last chronicler of the Ottoman, and among everything else a successful educationalist - Abdurrahman Sheref Efendi (from now on ASE). ASE is a person who lived through Tanzimat period, Constitutional Period and Republican period, consequently he acquired the nâme man of three eras. As a result it seems impossible to include a draft history of the eras he lived through. The life and scientific character of Abdurrahman Sheref Sir, his contributions to the scientific world, his governmental work, his literary work, the conditions of his time, a review of his book History of Ottoman Government which is written in old Ottoman language, and linking the aforementioned topics with historiography insights will be the vocal points of this paper. In this regard the social changes that Ottoman government has undergone, historical writings, its beginnings and final evolution will be evaluated. Our research will consist of an introduction and two parts. Starting the paper with a short outline of our main topics, the research method of the paper has been voiced and the importance of this research has been articulated. First part will consist of Abdurrahman Sheref Sir s birth, childhood, education, character, private life, general overlook of his era, his work and the duties he took. Second part will focus on History of Ottoman Government book, its place and importance within the science of history, historiography in general and historical insight of Abdurrahman Sheref Sir. We cannot assert that the result of this thesis has turned out as well as we hoped. We admit that it has its flaws. However, we tried our best with the opportunities that we had. Using sources present at hand we strived to present information though at a limited level. After learning about ASE, we believed that reintroducing this person to the scientific world is important and hope this thought is useful.