Imagine a car park sitting where the Millet Manuscript Library stands today. Thankfully, it was saved. This library holds centuries of knowledge. Let’s delve into the story of the Millet Manuscript Library.
The Millet Manuscript Library was founded in 1700. Seyhulislam Seyyid Feyzullah Efendi built it. He was a well-known religious scholar in the Ottoman Empire. The library’s architecture marks the end of the classical Ottoman style. You can see this in its garden with the ablution fountain and other features.
In the early 20th century, the library faced demolition. The municipality wanted to build a car park in its place. The Association for Lovers of Istanbul stepped in. Evkaf Naziri Seyhulislam Mustafa Hayri Efendi also helped. They restored the building in 1916. It was then named Fatih Millet Library.
Feyzullah Efendi donated 2189 manuscripts. Ali Emiri Efendi contributed 16000 books. This transformed the structure into a substantial library.
Important waqf libraries’ books were moved here from 1924. These included the books of Reşid Efendi and others. Their buildings were unusable. In 1962, the Millet Library became a public library. The waqf books were then moved to Suleymaniye Library. Later, the Millet Library’s collection moved to the Simkeshane Building. The Millet Library then refocused to serve the Fatih District.
Libraries like Murad Molla and others once were subunits of the Millet Library. These became non-profit organizations later. The manuscripts from Murad Molla Public Library moved to Suleymaniye Library in 2000.
The Millet Manuscript Library now specializes in research. New books were given to Sakarya University. The library is affiliated with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. It continues its service as the Millet Manuscript Library.
Ali Emiri Efendi played a crucial role. He donated 16000 books to establish the Millet Library in 1916. It became a special library for experts. It holds manuscripts and printed volumes in the old Turkish alphabet. Emiri was a self-made librarian. He helped collect Turkish written heritage.
Born in 1857, Emiri came from a notable family. He studied Arabic and Persian. He worked as a telegram operator and financial auditor. After retiring in 1908, he dedicated himself to the Millet Library. Emiri developed a classification method for Ottoman Archives. He also wrote biographical works. Ali Emiri Efendi died in 1924. He is buried in the Fatih Mosque cemetery.
During the 1999 earthquake, the library’s works suffered damage. They were moved to the Beyazıt State Library temporarily. The Millet Manuscript Library holds 6708 manuscript works. It welcomes researchers interested in Ottoman history and literature. The library on 650 square meters is a treasure. It preserves a significant part of Turkish heritage. It continues to serve researchers and visitors today.