Sami Frashëri

Sami bey Frashëri (Turkish: Şemseddin Sami Bey; June 1, 1850 – June 18, 1904) or Şemseddin Sâmi was an Ottoman Albanian writer, philosopher, playwright and a prominent figure of the Rilindja Kombëtare, the National Renaissance movement of Albania, together with his two brothers Abdyl and Naim. He also supported Turkish nationalism against its Ottoman counterpart, along with secularism (anti-clericalism or laicism) against theocracy.[1]

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Sami Frashëri
Frashëri, 1880s
Born	(1850-06-01)June 1, 1850 Frashër, Përmet, Albania
Died	June 18, 1904(1904-06-18) (aged 54) Erenköy, Istanbul, Ottoman Empire
Organization(s)	Central Committee for Defending Albanian Rights, Society for the Printing of Albanian Writings
Movement	National Renaissance of Albania
Children	Ali Sami Yen
Relatives	Abdyl Frashëri (brother) Naim Frashëri (brother) Mid’hat Frashëri (nephew) Mehdi Frashëri (nephew)
Signature

Frashëri was one of the sons of an impoverished Bey from Frashër (Fraşer during the Ottoman rule) in the District of Përmet. He gained a place in Ottoman literature as a talented author under the name of Şemseddin Sami Efendi and contributed to the Ottoman Turkish language reforms.

Frashëri's message, however as declared in his book "Albania - What it was, what it is, and what will become of it" published in 1899, became the manifesto of the Rilindja Kombëtare. He discussed the prospects for a united, free and independent republic of Albania. In this way, beginning with a demand for autonomy and struggle for their own alphabet and education, Frashëri helped the Albanian National Movement develop its claim for independence. His lifetime goal, as that of many other members of the Albanian renaissance was the development and improvement of Albania's culture and eventual establishment of an independent country.