Avan-zâde Mehmed Süleyman was born in Istanbul in 1871 and passed away in Istanbul in 1922. He studied at the Beşiktaş Military Secondary School (Rüştiye) and the Darülfünun Faculty of Medicine School of Pharmacy. He served as an assistant instructor in French and Physics at the Haydarpaşa Military Practice School. In 1902, when a publication regarding the Russo-Japanese War in the journal Musavver Terakki , which he directed, drew the backlash of Russia, he was exiled to Jerusalem in 1903. In 1907, he fled to Egypt and opened a pharmacy in Cairo. Following the proclamation of the Second Constitutional Era in 1908, Avanzâde returned to Istanbul and was appointed as an official to the Translation and Statistics Department of the Military Health Directorate with the rank of captain.
He worked for various newspapers and periodicals such as Musavver Terakkî, Malumat, İkdam, Sabah, Tanin, Tercümân-ı Hakîkat .
Although there are not many comprehensive studies on his personal life and works, it is possible to find insights into his life upon examining the prefaces of Avanzâde’s works. The fact that he begins the preface titled “İfâde-i Mahsûsa” (Special Address) of his translation titled Eczacılara Mahsus Muhtıra (1329/1910) [Memorandum for Pharmacists] with an address to “my esteemed colleagues” indicates that he was a pharmacist. It can be said that he was a multi-faceted figure who dedicated his life to the service of his profession, his homeland, the youth of his country, and parents.
Possessing many identities as a compiler, historian, literary historian, pharmacist, author, translator, journalist, and more, Avan-zâde authored over two hundred works.
The author’s son, Halit Avan, made the following observation about his father in an encyclopedia published in 1948;
‘’The positive role of his publications in this field against the misunderstandings about health and hygiene trapped in the superstitious beliefs and archaic traditions of the era he lived in is very clear. Avanzade Mehmet Süleyman, who carried a great ideal such as being beneficial to the public, elevating it in every field, and enlightening society in the light of contemporary positive science, is one of our fortunate writers who succeeded in applying this ideal to a wide readership.’’
Writers of the era praised him with commendations such as “He had no translation without reason or purpose. His greatest goal was to serve his country, his fellow citizens, and his colleagues” (for example, “A Multi-Identitied Translator in the Constitutional Era”, p. 61), thereby implying that the author was not an entrepreneur and businessman like Ahmet Midhat Efendi, but solely and purely a patriotic idealist. Furthermore, Beyhan Kanter characterized him as “A Traditionalist Author in the Defense of Women’s Rights in the Constitutional Era: Avanzade Mehmet Süleyman”.
Regarding Health and Pharmacy, Avanzade authored works such as;
‘’Alman Usûlü Âile Eczanesi; Eczacılara Mahsûs Muhtıra; Esrâr-ı Haml ve Tenâsül: Kız mı Oğlan mı?; Gözlerdeki Esrar ve Göz Hıfzı’s-Sıhhası; İdrar Tahlili; İspanyol Nez-lesi; Kadın Hastalıklarından Seyelân-ı Ebyâz; Kız mı Oğlan mı?; Kuvvet İlacları; Kuvvet Yemekleri ve Kuvvet İlacları; Meme Hıfzı’s-Sıhhası; Mesâil-i Hafiyye-i Sıhhiyyeden: Kız mı, Oğlan mı?; Mide Hastalıkları; Muhafaza-i Sıhhat: Mekteb-i Asır, Rüşdiye Kısmı; Semirmek Usûlleri ve Zayıflamak çareleri; Sıhhat Mutfağı; Sıhhat, Kuvvet ve Melahât Nokta-i Nazarından Ne Yemeli ve Nasıl Ya- şamalı; Sinir Hastalıkları; Tifüs veya Lekeli Humma; Uyuz Hastalığı ve Kolayca Tedavi çareleri; Kızlara ve Hanımlara Jimnastik’’.
On the front of a business card belonging to Avanzâde’s final years:
“Avanzâde M. Süleyman / Concessionaire and editor-in-chief / of the weekly illustrated newspaper (Aile Tabibi – Family Physician)”.
On the reverse side, there is a poignant note from his son:
“Date of my father’s death: On Thursday, 12 Tishrin-i Awwal [1]338 [12 Ekim 1922 Perşembe], at 8:15 PM alongside the night call to prayer, he departed this life in poverty and distress in the bosom of his family.
That day upon returning from school, I kissed his hands and face, and sat with him to speak for the last time. Even while experiencing his final moments, there was a gentleness and grace on his face and in his eyes, an affection, and an indifferent resignation in the face of death. Dearest father, I will always strive to elevate your name.
May your soul rest in peace… A. Hâlid.”
Having lived approximately 100 years ago under the conditions of that era, and having packed more than two hundred works into a brief life of just 51 years; I bow with deep respect before the memory of this extraordinary patriotic elder whose greatest goal was to serve his country, his fellow citizens, and his colleagues…
As for myself… Alas… approaching the end of my 50s, I wanted to sheepishly share the news that my third book titled Magistral Articles II has come off the press… Please forgive me…
27/10/2018
Specialist Pharmacist Ahmet Nezihi Pekcan
Pekcan Pharmacy – Konya
[email protected]
Tel: (332) 3520657
http://www.majistralformul.com/
