The forgotten yet familiar story of the Ottoman scholars.

Earlier this week, on Monday, September 29, Columbia University’s Assistant Professor of History A. Tunç Şen celebrated his recent work, Forgotten Experts: Astrologers, Science, and Authority in the Ottoman Empire, 1450–1600, in the Heyman Center located on East Campus. Sitting alongside other speakers—including Columbia’s Professor Gil Eyal, Professor Mark Mazower, Professor Pamela H. Smith, and NYU Abu Dhabi’s Professor Justin Stearns—the author gave insights on the subjects and arguments presented in the book.

A specialist in Ottoman Empire history, Professor A. Tunç Şen traces a throughline from the sixteenth century all the way to World War II. Using records and manuscripts written in Arabic, Persian, and Ottoman Turkish, Forgotten Experts explores the question, “What does it mean to be an expert?”, with the Empire’s court astrologers as its protagonists. The author noted in the event that the word “forgotten” does not only pertain to the context of history of a bygone era, but also to these “experts” who were not always valued even in their own times.

Despite being distinguished masters in both mathematics and the natural world, the Ottoman Empire court astrologers did not always hold steadfast influence. This is, the speakers observed in amusement during the event, not so unfamiliar to scholars of the present days such as themselves. Professor A. Tunç Şen emphasizes that being an expert is not only about knowledge, but also recognition, and the relations with those in power. This is the story being told of the court astrologers, the Forgotten Experts.

Whether it is struggling to find the patronage which one believes their effort in research so deserved, or complaining about being restricted access to crucial scientific instruments sitting in the treasury, it would seem that the wax and wane of scholarly recognition and influence is something of a historical tradition.

“Forgotten Experts” New Book Event via author