Niyazi Berkes | |
|---|---|
| Born | 21 October 1908 |
| Died | 18 December 1988(1988-12-18) (aged 80) Hythe, England |
| Nationality | Turkish Cypriot |
| Alma mater | |
| Spouse | Mediha Berkes[1] |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Sociology |
| Institutions | |
Niyazi Berkes (21 October 1908 – 18 December 1988) was aTurkish Cypriotsociologist.
Berkes was born inNicosia, the capital of Cyprus, on 21 September 1908, shortly after theYoung Turk Revolution in Turkey.[2][3] He had a twin brother, Enver.[4] They were named afterEnver Pasha andResneli Niyazi who were two leading figures of the revolution.[5]
Niyazi started his secondary education in Nicosia. During his education, he later, went to Istanbul and graduated fromIstanbul Erkek Lisesi (Istanbul Lycée, or Istanbul Boys' High School) in 1928.[6] He began his university years studying law, but transferred to philosophy in hopes of broader intellectual engagements. In 1931, Berkes graduated from the department of philosophy,Istanbul University.[6]
Following the graduation Berkes struggled to find a professorship immediately after graduating as he lacked patronage in universities and the Ministry of Education. Recommended by a friend, he applied to a position at the People's House in Ankara. There he was exposed to the ideology of Kemalism, which at the time, allowed for much intellectual debate regarding the construction of a new Turkey.
In 1935, he then became an assistant at the same faculty.[2][6] In the same year, he had gone to United States and he had studied sociology at theUniversity of Chicago[1] until 1939. In 1939 he returned to Turkey and as anassociate professor of sociology he attended to the faculty of languages, history and geography ofAnkara University which had just opened a Philosophy Department.[7] He had worked there until 1945. In 1952, he was appointed visiting professor[8] at theInstitute of Islamic Studies, theMcGill University in Canada. In 1956, he became professor at the same university.[6] He retired from McGill in 1975 and settled in England.[3][6] Berkes wrote no more books after his retirement, but continued to write for the Turkish press.[9] He died on 18 December 1988 inHythe in England.[3]
Berkes is a well-knownTurkish sociologist, primarily known for his studies relating to the historical and social evolution of Turkey, such asthe Development of Secularism in the Turkish Revolution, considered his magnum opus. In addition to his works reflecting his views and ideas ontheoretical sociology, he researched the transition of Turkey from theOttoman era.[6]
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of November 2024 (link)| International | |
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