1832 | A grammar of the Turkish language by Davids, Arthur Lumley

Best known for his work in his Grammar of the Turkish Language, published in 1832, and dedicated to Mahmud II, the Sultan of Turkey. It was the first book to cover the topic in Europe since 1709. In 1836 his mother prepared the French translation of his work.

Mavi Boncuk | Digital Link

A grammar of the Turkish language : with a preliminary discourse on the language and literature of the Turkish nations, a copious vocabulary, dialogues, a collection of extracts in prose and verse, and lithographed specimens of various ancient and modern manuscripts

by Davids, Arthur Lumley[1], 1811-1832

One of nineteenthth-century Europe's first Ottoman Turkish grammars, prepared by the British orientalist Arthur Lumley Davids (1811-1832). The first hundred pages comprise an Ottoman Turkish grammar; then fifty pages of dialogues and vocabulary, arranged by subject, including "Pour Parler Turk", "Du Temps", "Pour Manger et pour Boire", and "Des Imperfections des Corps"; the final thirty-five pages contain printed extracts from Ottoman Turkish texts, including the Bakhtiarnama, Evliya Celebi's travelogues, and a ghazal by Baki. Davids' long linguistic and historical introduction gives an important systematic account of the Turks as a nation and their historical antecedents, which influenced contemporary Ottoman thought on the subject. This grammar was first published in English in 1832, with a dedication to Sultan Mahmud II, whose consent had been obtained through the efforts of Sir Robert Gordon, British envoy to the Sublime Porte. 

Grammaire Turke: Précédée D'un Discours Préliminaire Sur La Langue Et La Littérature Des Nations Orientales; Avec Un Vocabulaire Volumineux, Des Dialogues, Un Recueil D'extraits En Prose Et En Vers.

By Davids, Arthur Lumley; Sarah Davids, Translator

London: Wm. H. Allen & Co., et al, 1836. First edition in French, 4to (28.5 x 22.5 cm), pp.x, [6], lxxix, [1, blank], 214, [2], 5 lithographic plates. With printed Ottoman Turkish text.  Translated into French by his mother Sarah Davids after his early death and dedicated her translation to Louis Philippe I of France.

From Babel to Dragomans: Interpreting the Middle East By Bernard Lewis

[1] Arthur Lumley Davids (born Asher Lumle Davids; 28 August 1811 – 19 July 1832) was an English orientalist and linguist. He was born in Hampshire, the only child of Jewish parents Sarah Lumley and Jonki Davids.

He was sent to an Anglican school with the purpose of preparing him for an English university. From an early age he applied himself to the study of mechanics, music, and experimental philosophy. Described as a child prodigy, his intelligence was soon discovered. During his early education he once delivered a lecture on chemistry before the whole school. However, when Davids was 10 years of age his father died, and with his mother he relocated to London.

This prompted his devotion to the cause of the civil emancipation of the Jews, which he advocated in several articles addressed to the London "Times."

Davids' reputation as a scholar rests on his "Grammar of the Turkish Language," dedicated to the Sultan of Turkey, Maḥmud II., which, being the product of so youthful a scholar, evoked high appreciation and commendation.

At the age of fifteen he began the preparation of a "Bible Encyclopedia," at the same time making himself proficient in Turkish and in other foreign languages like Hebrew, Arabic and Persian, along with the European languages of Greek, Latin, French, Italian and German.^[ However he was particularly devoted to the Turkish language.  Wishing to follow the legal profession, he entered the office of a solicitor, but found himself prevented as a Jew from proceeding to the bar. Wishing to follow the legal profession, he entered the office of a solicitor but as a Jew, he was prevented from proceeding to the bar. This led him to become involved in the cause of the Civil Emancipation of the Jews, and he advocated his beliefs several times in the London Times. He took part in the formation of a Society for the Cultivation of Hebrew Literature, and in 1830, at one of the meetings, he presented a lecture on the Literature and Philosophy of the Jews. He was described as having principles of the "strictest probity and honour," having a mild and unassuming manner, and his "disposition candid and communicative".

Davids is best known for his work in his Grammar of the Turkish Language, published in 1832, and dedicated to Mahmud II, the Sultan of Turkey. It was the first book to cover the topic in Europe since 1709. In 1836 his mother prepared the French translation of his work. His book was used extensively in some of David Urquhart's work.

Davids fell ill early in the morning of 19 July 1832, and not wanting to alarm his mother, he did not call for assistance. He died the same day, a little more than a month before his 21st birthday, and only three weeks after his book was published.The cause of death was cholera.He is buried in Bury Street, London, and therefore probably belonged to the Bevis Marks Synagogue. His mother later remarried London architect Nathaniel Handford.

Bibliography:

• Asiatic Journal, Dec., 1832;
• Der Jude, Jan., 1833;
• The Hebrew Review, i.;
• Morais, Eminent Israelites, s.v.