Hacı Hoca Abdülkerim Efendi
Profile summary
Highlights
Abdülkerim Efendi, whose exact date of birth is unknown, was born in Karakise village of the Akdağ subdistrict of Amasya. After receiving his early education in his hometown, he studied in Amasya with Canikli Hacı İsmail Efendi and Sipahi Hafız Ömer Efendi, and after 1831 went to Istanbul to complete his education.
In Istanbul, Abdülkerim Efendi studied with prominent teachers of the period such as İmamzâde Esad Efendi and Vidinli Mustafa Efendi, and rose to become a dersiâm of Fatih Mosque and a madrasa professor. Ahmed Cevdet Paşa records that when he came to Istanbul for his studies, Amasyalı Abdülkerim Efendi was famous among the students.
In 1849, Abdülkerim Efendi was sent to Europe to conduct research in the sciences. Sources mention his travels to Paris and England, and after his return he became known by the nickname “İngiliz Kerim Efendi.”
In educational life, Abdülkerim Efendi held posts such as membership in the Council of Education, and in the 1870 academic period he taught Logic at the Darülfünun. He later rose to the Istanbul pâye.
Abdülkerim Efendi wrote works in various fields such as philosophy, logic, geography and grammar, with his studies in logic and philosophy especially standing out.
Hacı Hoca Abdülkerim Efendi died on 22 Rabi al-Akhir 1303 (28 January 1886) and was buried in the Fatih Mosque Cemetery.
Epitaph
He is the Creator, the Eternal. Kerim Efendi, the unique pearl of the sea of wisdom and spiritual knowledge, noble and of high worth, resolved to leave this world for the realm of eternity. Before him, the commander of mercy became a guide leading him to Paradise. He was one of the geniuses of his age and a scholar who truly feared Allah. People of learning remembered his pure character with respect. He was occupied with spreading learning and the sciences, and never let the Qur’an leave his tongue. His death was regarded as a great loss. May my Lord grant great rewards to his relatives. The poet Feyzi derived the date with two Fatihas: "Allah’s exalted presence became the station of Kerim Efendi." A Fatiha for the soul of Hacı Hoca Abdülkerim Efendi, son of Hüseyin Efendi of Amasya, among those of Istanbul rank and among the leading writers. 28 January 1886.
A Fatiha for his/her soul