Abstract: | Attempt to establish adequate criteria (educational, occupational, intellectual - literary) for identifying the specific individuals who were considered ulama (a rather exlusive corps of religious leaders) in Tunisia during the period 1873-1915. Against a background sketch of Tunisia's religious establishment and some of the basic terminology concerning it, an analysis is made of the notion of ilm (knowledge, science) as it occurs in a few pertinent biographical collections and the term's practical significance and linguistic scope in late nineteenth century Tunisia are assessed. Notes. Three appendices list mudarrisuh (professors) at the Zaytuna mosque 1873-1915, the sharia majlis of Tunis, and imams of the major mosques of Tunis respetively. |