Hagop Barsoumian

Hagop Barsoumian(1 September 1936 inAleppo, Syria– 1986) was an Armenian scholar who concentrated onArmenology,in particular studies of theArmeniancommunity in theOttoman Empirein the nineteenth century. Dr. Barsoumian published many articles on the Armenianamira(aristocrat -grand bourgeois) class and the constitutional movement.

He was also a professor of Armenology at theHaigazian UniversityinBeirutduring the 1980s. In 1986, during theLebanese Civil War,Dr. Barsoumian was abductedby Armenian leftist factions and reportedly murdered.

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 theArmenian 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, inSan Francisco, California.There he attendedSan Francisco State Universitywhere he earned a BS (1964) followed by an MA (1969) in International World Trade. The focus of his thesis was theEuropean Common Market.

On 19 April 1969 Hagop married Anais Bohjelian, originally fromAlexandria, Egypt,who was living and studying in the U.S.

In 1972 Hagop relocated toNew York Cityto resume his education. In 1975 he received his second MA in Middle East History fromNew York University.Five years later, in 1980, he earned his Ph.D. fromColumbia Universityin Ottoman History. He then lectured at Columbia University for a brief period. Soon he was invited to teach atHaigazian CollegeinBeirut, Lebanon,which he eagerly accepted.

On 31 January 1986 Hagop was kidnapped in Beirut, leaving behind his wife and daughter, Nanore.