Poet and writer (b. ?, Crete –
d. 2 October 1798, Berlin). He came to İstanbul after spending all the
inheritance from his father on a bohemian lifestyle. After taking several jobs
in İstanbul, Chios Island and Belgrade, he died in Berlin, to where he had been
sent as the Ambassador to Prussia in 1796 and was buried in a Muslim cemetery.
Varidat (Inspirations), in which he compiled his Turkish and Persian poetry,
is a mystic work. It can be understood from his expression in this work that he
had close links to the Bektashi order and is knowledgeable of monotheism
philosophy. Muhayyelat (Happenings in a Dream), which made him
famous, comprises three tales that carry the characteristics of the tales of
“1000 Nights” and stories written in Hebrew, Syriac and other languages. The
work is as much original and important as it is new regarding the composition
style, genre, terminology and description.
In addition, its western style and complex features sets it aside from
other works of that type. In Aziz’s poems can be seen traces of Islamic
mysticism. He had a great knowledge of Persian and Iranian literature.
WORKS:
Muhayyelât (Happenings in a Dream, written in
1796, first edition in 1852, the last edition simplified by Ahmet Kabaklı was
published by the Ministry of Culture in1973), Vâridat (Inspirations, his Turkish and Persian poetry, not
published), Sandık Mecmuası (The Box
Review, his poetry and philosophy 1873).
