Samiha Ayverdi

Samiha Ayverdi (25 November 1905 – 22 March 1993) was a Turkish writer.

Biography
Samiha Ayverdi was born in İstanbul to Fatma Meliha Hanim and İsmail Hakkı Bey, an Ottoman military official. She studied at Süleymaniye Kız Numune Mektebi and among other things, learned French and read about philosophy and Islamic mysticism. She became a follower and later official successor of Sufi thinker Kenan Rıfai, who became a major influence in her work. She was the sister of architect and historian Ekrem Hakkı Ayverdi.

In 1938, she published her first novel titled Aşk Budur and followed it with over 30 novels and short story collections.

Ayverdi died on 22 March 1993 and is buried at the Merkezefendi Cemetery in Zeytinburnu, İstanbul.

Works
Samiha Ayverdi published her first novel Aşk Budur in 1938. Since 1946, she focused more on ideas and historical works. She used history extensively in her works. Her reviews and novels are on Istanbul. Sufi thought and history were especially revived in her novels, and she tried to introduce Kenan Rifai to the readers through her works.

Her novels "The Unsinkable Day" and "Man and the Devil" are the products of her search for the past. Her novel that best reflects her longing for the past is İbrahim Efendi Mansion, which is also included in the list of 100 Essential Works. The number of books published by Kubbealtı Publications under the name of Samiha Ayverdi Collection is 47.

Prizes
In 1978, the Turkish National Culture Foundation Gift; Honorary Service to the Turkish National Culture, given by the National Culture Foundation in 1984; In 1985, dhe received the Boğaziçi Achievement Award from Boğaziçi Publishing for her work named Few Steps on Earth. On April 26, 1986, a plaque was presented to her by the Turkish Literature Foundation for her "Services to National Art." She was given the Language Award of the Year by the Writers Union of Turkey for her work titled "Hey Gidi Günler Hey" published in 1988. In 1990, the Prime Ministry family research institution presented her with a plaque of appreciation. In 1992, she received the Outstanding Service Award given by the Professional Association of Owners of Scientific and Literary Works of Turkey (İLESAM). The name of Vatan Anatolian High School, located on Vatan Caddesi in Istanbul, Fatih was changed in 2005 to Samiha Ayverdi Anatolian High School.