A Reformist Philosophy Of History: The Case Of Ahmed Vâsıf Efendi

Abstract

Before examining Ahmed Vâsıf ’s philosophy of history, it will be useful to say a word about his life and work.4 Born in Baghdad in the 1730s, Vâsıf entered state service around the year 1768 and began a career of no small distinction. In the nearly forty years between 1768 and 1806, the year of his death, he undertook a number of diplomatic initiatives. Chancery posts aside, Vâsıf negotiated truces in both the 1768-1774 and 1787-1792 Russian-Ottoman wars, helped to re-open the imperial printing press, and served as ambassador to Spain in 1787-1788 and court historian (vekâyinüvis) for four terms under Abdülhamid I and Selim III.