Nicholas N. Martinovich papers

ca. 1935-1951

Nicholas N. Martinovich (1883-1954) was a Russian-born authority on Ottoman and Turkish art. He served in the Russian diplomatic service in the Near East and taught Oriental languages at the University of Petrograd. In 1922 he emigrated to the U.S. where he prepared descriptions of manuscripts and art objects for various museums. He wrote books and articles, lectured and taught courses at Columbia University in New York City. Collection consists of biographical sketch; corrrespondence, 1935-1951; and manuscripts of Martinovich's monographs "Battal and Danishmend" (a Turkish legendary work) and on Mihri Khatun, a Turkish poetess of the 15th century. Also, a transcription of an unidentified Persian manuscript and a collection of slides and photocopies of Oriental manuscripts.