Elian Sarkis
- Died
- 1351 AH
- Born in
- Damascus
Yusuf Ilyan Sarkis (1272–1351 AH / 1856–1932 CE) was a Syrian-born bibliographer, antiquarian, and bookseller, best known for compiling the bio-bibliographical reference work Mu'jam al-matbu'at al-'arabiyya wa-al-mu'arraba (Dictionary of Arabic and Translated Printed Books).
Early life and career
Yusuf ibn Ilyan ibn Musa Sarkis al-Dimashqi was born in Damascus. Following the 1860 events in Damascus, he moved as a child to Beirut, where he settled. He entered the service of the Imperial Ottoman Bank and spent thirty-five years working as a clerk and later as a branch director in Beirut, Damascus, Cyprus, Ankara, and Constantinople. In 1903, he undertook a journey from Constantinople to Rome, which he documented in his travelogue Anfas al-athar fi ashhar al-amsar (The Most Precious Antiquities in the Most Famous Metropolises).
Antiquarian pursuits and bibliography
Alongside his administrative career, Sarkis had a keen interest in numismatics and archaeology, collecting ancient coins and artifacts. While residing in Constantinople, he published an article in French on antiquities in Turkey, in recognition of which the Tsarist Russian government granted him honorary membership in the Russian Archaeological Institute.
In 1912, Sarkis settled in Cairo, where he engaged in the book trade and established a bookstore and publishing house with the assistance of his sons, issuing annual catalogs. In Cairo, he produced his principal reference work, Mu'jam al-matbu'at al-'arabiyya wa-al-mu'arraba, documenting Arabic printed books and foreign works translated into Arabic from the beginning of Arabic printing up to the end of 1339 AH (1919 CE). In preparing the dictionary, he utilized the private library of Ahmad Taymur Pasha to verify titles and author biographies, dedicating the work to him. Sarkis also compiled Jami' al-tasanif al-haditha (Compendium of Modern Works), published in two small volumes.
Death
Sarkis died in Cairo in 1351 AH (1932 CE).
Answer updated
List of Works
Mu'jam al-Matbu'at al-Arabiyya wa al-Muarraba (Dictionary of Arabic and Translated Printed Books) is a bio-bibliographical dictionary that documents Arabic printed books and foreign works translated into Arabic published worldwide from the inception of Arabic printing until the end of 1339 AH (1919 CE).