Abstract:

Hilmi Omar Budda (1894-1952) has played a significant role in the process of development and institutionalization of History of Religions in Turkey. He, who was the first academician in the field of History of Religions in Turkey, lectured for many years in Dar’ul-Funûn (Ottoman University) Faculty of Divinity, which was found in 1924. Then he worked in department of Institute of Islamic Sciences, which was a branch of Istanbul University Faculty of Arts, by pursuing his same position and career. After that Budda lectured in Ankara University Faculty of Divinity, which was found in 1949, as the first academic person of the department of History of Religions. Budda, who has written many scientific studies and has trained a large number of students during his academic life roughly thirty years, has filled a gap in the field of History of Religions in the early years of republic period. This article deals with Budda’s contributions to the History of Religions area and his role in the formation of such a discipline. This study, besides, mentions about Budda’s academic sides by analyzing his scientific writings composed of books, articles and columns.

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