This book, prepared by Tarkan Kahya and Tuğçe Akbaytogan, deals with the long institutional history of the Istanbul Archaeological Museums, especially the transition period from the Ottoman Empire to the Turkish Republic. Considering that the majority of the works on our museum history have solely focused on Osman Hamdi Bey, that is, the “foundation period” of the Istanbul Archaeological Museums, it is clear how important a study that tackles the history of the museum after Osman Hamdi Bey, in the light of documents from the institution’s archive.

In the first part of A Predecessor & Two Successors, the early history of Istanbul Archaeological Museums is examined around the concept of predecessors, and the well- known establishment phase of the museum is explained. In the aftermath of Osman Hamdi Bey’s passing, we are witnessing the “Organization Period”, that is, the term of Halil Edhem (Eldem) –Osman Hamid’s right-hand and brother, and successor– in the museum.

In the second part on “Successors”, which started with the departure of Osman Hamdi Bey and his brother from the management of the Istanbul Archaeological Museums, we delve into the works of Aziz Ogan, who was the successor after Halil Edhem Bey, who have further developed the organization in the institution. Lastly, we learn about the life and works of Arif Müfid Mansel, who chose Istanbul University over the museum.