Nasuh al-Matraqi

Ottoman polymath who created revolutionary medical treatments and mathematical systems in 16th-century Turkey

Nasuh bin Karagöz bin Abdullah el-Bosnavî (1480-1564), known as Matrakçı Nasuh, was a Renaissance man of the Ottoman Empire who made groundbreaking contributions to mathematics, medicine, and cartography. His mathematical text Umdet-ül Hisab introduced innovative calculation methods that influenced Islamic science for centuries.

As chief physician to Suleiman the Magnificent, Nasuh developed early anesthesia techniques using opium derivatives. His surgical manual Cerrahiyetü'l-Haniyye detailed procedures for cataracts and hernias, predating European medical texts by decades.

Nasuh's miniature paintings revolutionized Ottoman cartography by combining artistic detail with geographic accuracy. The Topkapi Scroll shows his mathematical approach to architectural design, influencing iconic structures like the Süleymaniye Mosque.