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Ottoman Studies Research Guide: Oral History

This guide aims to help researchers working in the field of Ottoman studies particularly, and Islamic history in general, to find suitable materials for their research from the large collection of books, manuscripts, photographs, maps...etc, that were pro

Interview with Saeb bey Salam

Saeb Salam was the son of Salim Salam, a leading Sunni Muslim politician who was prominent both under Ottoman rule and then during the French Mandate. He became Minister of Interior in 1946 and Prime Minister for the first time in 1952. He was again appointed Prime Minister in 1953, 1960-1961 and 1970-1973. In this interview, he gives several details about the political life in Beirut during the late Ottoman era.

Interview with Anbara Salam al Khalidi

Anbara Salam was born in 1897 to a notable Sunni Muslim family of Beirut. Her father, Salim Salam, was a member of the Ottoman parliament and remained in politics through the French mandate years. Early on in her life, Anbara Salam became a staunch supporter and campaigner for Arab women’s rights, encouraged by the liberal attitude of her family towards the emancipation of women. In 1913 and 1914, she wrote a series of articles in Beirut newspapers calling on women to play their part in seeking Arab rights in the Ottoman Empire. In this interview, she gives several details about social life in Beirut and Syria during the late Ottoman era.

Interview with Husni bey al Barazi

Husni al-Barazi was born in 1895 in the Syrian city of Hama into a prominent landowning family of Kurdish origin. He was educated in Istanbul and received a degree from the Istanbul School of Law. In April 1942 he was appointed Prime Minister, but was removed from his position and isolated by the French authorities in January 1943, following which he again moved to Lebanon. In this interview, he provides several details about social life during the late Ottoman era.

Interview with Raymond Eddé

Raymond Eddé, son of former Lebanese president and founder of the Lebanese National Bloc Party Émile Edde (1886 - 1949), was born in Alexandria, Egypt in 1913 where his father, an opponent of Ottoman rule in Lebanon, had taken refuge. After the death of his father in 1949, Eddé became the leader of the National Bloc Party, and in 1953, he was elected Member of Parliament, a position he was to hold until he boycotted the first post-war elections in 1992. In this interview, he provides some details about his father's anti-Ottoman activities.

Interview with Aref bey al Nakadi

A writer, judge and member of the Arab Scientific Academy in Damascus. He belongs to the Nakad family, a Druze clan that descends from banu Taghlib , a well known Arab tribe. He was interviewed by AUB on May 1st, 1970, where he talked about Lebanese and Druze history during the late Ottoman era.