IMRE KARÁCSON: HUNGARIAN TRANSLATOR OF THE WORK OF HASAN KAFI PRUŠČAK

Abstract

UDK 929 Imre K.

In this article, that represents a remarkable contribution to the history of translation of the works of Hasan Kafi Pruščak, onthe bases of relevant and archival sources, the author presents life and work of Imre Karácson (1863–1911), chronologically the second translator of the Usul al-hikam. Karácson, historian, Orientalist, Doctor of Divinity, lived in Istanbul from the year 1907 to 1911 where he worked as researcher and translator of documents from archives of Istanbul relevant to Hungarian historiography. During this time, in December 1907, he “discovered” the manuscript of Kafi’s Usul al-hikam in the Beyazid mosque’s library. His translation of this work to Hungarian language was published in 1909, as a special edition by Szent István Társulat (Saint Stephen Society). The article reveals unfamiliar or little-known aspects of Karácson’s work in Istanbul, with a special focus on the background of his translation of Hasan Elkafi through the analysis of the available archival records.