Talebeliği Bırakmadan Talebe Yetiştiren Hoca: Hakkı Zafer Toprak

I had the opportunity to meet Zafer Toprak during my graduate interview at Boğaziçi University's Atatürk Institute. The atmosphere of his lectures was filled with a unique sense of passion and enthusiasm. Located on the second floor of Yeni Hayat Apartmanı, at Sıraserviler Street No:49, his apartment served as a welcoming space where he graciously hosted guests. He would personally attend to their needs, serving them tea and coffee, never allowing them to lift a finger to assist. Toprak was not a collector, but a dedicated researcher with an extensive collection of books, magazines, and ephemera related to his field. He would meticulously protect his books by individually covering them, ensuring their preservation. He saw his books as a haven, providing him with a dedicated workspace and access to resources in a country where libraries were not readily available. Throughout his life, he used the financial means he had acquired to create this refuge for his books and to secure a space for his research.