Abdülmecid II

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Abdülmecid II

Role / Field:

Last Ottoman Caliph and prominent Turkish aesthete, head of the Osmanoğlu family.

Born:

1868-05-29

Died:

1944-08-23

Century / Era:

1868s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Foundations

Abdülmecid II or Abdul Mejid II (Ottoman Turkish: عبد المجید ثانی, romanized: ʿAbdü'l-Mecîd-i sânî; Turkish: II. Abdülmecid; 29 May 1868 – 23 August 1944), commonly known as Abdülmecid Efendi, was the last Ottoman caliph, the only caliph elected by the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, and head of the Osmanoğlu family from 1926 to 1944. Unlike previous caliphs, he used the title Halîfe-i Müslimîn ("Caliph of the Muslims") instead of Emîrü'l-Mü'minîn ("Commander of the Faithful"). He was also a relatively famous artist and a Turkish aesthete, interested in art, mainly literature, painting, and music, and ways to promote it in Turkey.

Key Developments & Impact

After the abolition of the Ottoman caliphate, he was succeeded for several months by Hussein bin Ali, the Sharif and Emir of Mecca and King of the Hejaz, who was mostly recognized in the Arab world. He died in Paris in 1944 and was buried as a caliph in Medina. Abdulmejid was born on 30 May 1868 at Dolmabahçe Palace to Sultan Abdulaziz and his consort Hayranidil Kadın. He was the younger brother of Nazime Sultan. He spent his early years at the Feriye Palace complex before moving to a palace in Çamlıca.

Enduring Legacy

He received private education but...

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1868 (1868-05-29): Birth of Abdülmecid II — Last Ottoman Caliph and prominent Turkish aesthete, head of the Osmanoğlu family.
2. 1944 (1944-08-23): Passing & Historical Legacy — Abdülmecid II passed away on 1944-08-23, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Abdülmecid II

True or False: “Abdülmecid II was the first person to use the title Halîfe-i Müslimîn instead of Emîrü'l-Mü'minîn.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The text states that he used the title Halîfe-i Müslimîn, but it does not specify that he was the first to use it.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Adah Isaacs Menken — Contemporary (Died in 1868) (1868): American actress, painter, and poet known for sensational stage performances.
• Annie S. D. Maunder — Contemporary (Born in 1868) (1868): Pioneering Irish astronomer known for discovering the Maunder Minimum and sunspot cycles.
• Arnold Sommerfeld — Contemporary (Born in 1868) (1868): Pioneering theoretical physicist known for quantum and atomic physics.
• Agustín Barrios — Contemporary (Died in 1944) (1944): Paraguayan virtuoso classical guitarist and composer, celebrated for his prolific works.
• Aimee Semple McPherson — Contemporary (Died in 1944) (1944): Pioneering Pentecostal evangelist, famous for founding the Foursquare Church.
• Al Smith — Contemporary (Died in 1944) (1944): Prominent Democratic politician, former Governor of New York, and 1928 presidential nominee.
• Alexander Hare McLintock — Shared historical date (05-29 · Died) (1968): Pioneering New Zealand historian, author of the Encyclopaedia of New Zealand.
• Alfonsina Storni — Shared historical date (05-29 · Born) (1892): Swiss-Argentine modernist poet known for her passionate verse and feminist themes.
• Abu Bakr — Shared historical date (08-23 · Died) (634): First Rashidun Caliph and esteemed companion of the Prophet Muhammad.
• Adolf Loos — Shared historical date (08-23 · Died) (1933): Pioneering architect and theorist of modernism, known for his critique of ornamentation.
• 1868 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1868
• May 29 (05-29) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on May 29
• 1944 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1944
• August 23 (08-23) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on August 23

Frequently Asked Questions about Abdülmecid II