Hagop Barsoumian
Encyclopedia
Hagop Barsoumian was born on the 1st of September, 1936 in Aleppo, Syria. He was an Armenian scholar who concentrated on Armenology, in particular studies of the Armenia
n community in the Ottoman Empire
in the nineteenth century. Dr. Barsoumian had published many articles on the Armenian amira (aristocrat - grand bourgeois
) class and the constitutional movement.
He was also a professor of Armenology at the Haigazian University
in Beirut
during the 1980s. In 1986, during the Lebanese Civil War
, Dr. Barsoumian was abducted and reportedly murdered.
His Early Years
Hagop lost his parents at a very young age, and was then cared for by his grandmother, Eliza Kahkedjian. Despite her old age, she worked hard to raise Hagop, his younger sister, and brother. A few years later Hagop was placed in a youth shelter maintained by the Armenian Relief Society
. He became a student at the then newly found school, Karen Yeppe, where he proved to be a bright and eager learner. After completing his secondary education, he enrolled in the local French Lycee where he received his Baccalaureate Part II in the field of Philosophy.
In 1960, Hagop settled in the United States, in San Francisco, California
. There he attended San Francisco State University
where he earned a BS (1964) followed by an MA (1969) in International World Trade. The focus for his thesis was the European Common Market.
On April 19, 1969, Hagop married Anais Bohjelian, originally from Alexandria, Egypt, who was living and studying in the U.S.
In 1972 Hagop relocated to New York City
to resume his education. In 1975 he received his second MA in Middle East History from New York University
. Five years later, in 1980, he earned his Ph.D. from Columbia University
in Ottoman History. He then lectured at Columbia University for a brief period. Soon he was invited to teach at Haigazian College in Beirut, Lebanon, which he eagerly accepted.
On January 31, 1986, Hagop was kidnapped in Beirut, leaving behind his wife and daughter, Nanore.
Armenia
Armenia , officially the Republic of Armenia , is a landlocked mountainous country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia...
n community in the Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
in the nineteenth century. Dr. Barsoumian had published many articles on the Armenian amira (aristocrat - grand bourgeois
Bourgeoisie
In sociology and political science, bourgeoisie describes a range of groups across history. In the Western world, between the late 18th century and the present day, the bourgeoisie is a social class "characterized by their ownership of capital and their related culture." A member of the...
) class and the constitutional movement.
He was also a professor of Armenology at the Haigazian University
Haigazian University
Haigazian University was founded in 1955 in Beirut, Lebanon. It offers programs leading to Bachelor's degrees in the Arts and Sciences, as well as Master's degrees in the Arts. All degrees from Haigazian are recognized by both the Lebanese government and the Association of International Colleges...
in Beirut
Beirut
Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, with a population ranging from 1 million to more than 2 million . Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon's Mediterranean coastline, it serves as the country's largest and main seaport, and also forms the Beirut Metropolitan...
during the 1980s. In 1986, during the Lebanese Civil War
Lebanese Civil War
The Lebanese Civil War was a multifaceted civil war in Lebanon. The war lasted from 1975 to 1990 and resulted in an estimated 150,000 to 230,000 civilian fatalities. Another one million people were wounded, and today approximately 350,000 people remain displaced. There was also a mass exodus of...
, Dr. Barsoumian was abducted and reportedly murdered.
His Early Years
Hagop lost his parents at a very young age, and was then cared for by his grandmother, Eliza Kahkedjian. Despite her old age, she worked hard to raise Hagop, his younger sister, and brother. A few years later Hagop was placed in a youth shelter maintained by the Armenian Relief Society
Armenian Relief Society
The Armenian Relief Society, A.R.S or H.O.M , is an independent, non-governmental and non-sectarian organization and NGO, serving the social and educational needs of Armenian communities everywhere, seeking to preserve the cultural identity of the Armenian nation, and, whenever and wherever the...
. He became a student at the then newly found school, Karen Yeppe, where he proved to be a bright and eager learner. After completing his secondary education, he enrolled in the local French Lycee where he received his Baccalaureate Part II in the field of Philosophy.
In 1960, Hagop settled in the United States, in San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
. There he attended San Francisco State University
San Francisco State University
San Francisco State University is a public university located in San Francisco, California. As part of the 23-campus California State University system, the university offers over 100 areas of study from nine academic colleges...
where he earned a BS (1964) followed by an MA (1969) in International World Trade. The focus for his thesis was the European Common Market.
On April 19, 1969, Hagop married Anais Bohjelian, originally from Alexandria, Egypt, who was living and studying in the U.S.
In 1972 Hagop relocated to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to resume his education. In 1975 he received his second MA in Middle East History from New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
. Five years later, in 1980, he earned his Ph.D. from Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
in Ottoman History. He then lectured at Columbia University for a brief period. Soon he was invited to teach at Haigazian College in Beirut, Lebanon, which he eagerly accepted.
On January 31, 1986, Hagop was kidnapped in Beirut, leaving behind his wife and daughter, Nanore.