Armenian students of Constantinople, 1893–1894

Armenian students of Constantinople in 1893–1894. In a photographer’s studio, 12 young men in dark clothes are posed, some seated around an ornate table and the others standing behind.

The first Armenian schools in Constantinople were founded in the 1790s, mainly with church income or with the funds and initiative of Armenians. In 1866 there were 46 Armenian schools in the city (32 for boys and 14 for girls), with 4700 male pupils, 1472 female pupils and 142 teachers. From the late 19th century most Armenian young people studied at the best European universities and, on returning, taught in the newly opened Armenian schools. Before the First World War, 1996 Armenian schools were operating in Western Armenia.