Monte Cristo (Alexander Dumas, 1875)
Name/Title
Monte Cristo (Alexander Dumas, 1875)Description
Dikran-Haroutiun Dedeyan (1832–1868) was a prominent Armenian publisher, translator, and printer based in Smyrna (modern-day Izmir). He was a central figure in the Dedeyan Publishing House, which he established with his brother, Aram-Garabed Dedeyan, in 1853. The establishment became one of the most significant Armenian printing houses in the Ottoman Empire, operating until 1892. Dedeyan was known for his immense personal dedication to the press, often working as a translator, typesetter, proofreader, and manager simultaneously. Under his leadership, the publishing house specialized in translating European literature—particularly French works—into Western Armenian, playing a vital role in the cultural enlightenment and literacy of the Armenian population. Notable publications from the press included the first full-length Western Armenian translation of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet (1866) and various works by French Romantic writers. Despite the commercial success of the press, which received orders from major hubs like Constantinople, Tiflis, and Jerusalem, Dedeyan’s health declined due to overwork. He died in Smyrna in 1868 at the age of 36. Following his death, the publishing house continued to influence Armenian literary life for several decades, serving as a platform for numerous prolific translators and writers of the period.Category
Books