Lütfi Kırdar | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Minister of Health and Social Security | |
| In office November 26, 1957 – May 27, 1960 | |
| Prime Minister | Adnan Menderes |
| Preceded by | Nafiz Körez |
| Succeeded by | Nusret Karasu |
| Ambassador of Turkey to Sweden | |
| In office 1949–1949 | |
| President | İsmet İnönü |
| Governor and Mayor of Istanbul | |
| In office December 5, 1938 – October 20, 1949 | |
| Preceded by | Muhittin Üstündağ |
| Succeeded by | Fahrettin Kerim Gökay |
| Governor of Manisa | |
| In office 1936–1938 | |
| Preceded by | Murat Germen |
| Succeeded by | Osman Şahinbaş |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Mehmet Lütfi Kırdar March 15, 1887 Kirkuk,Ottoman Empire |
| Died | February 17, 1961(1961-02-17) (aged 73) Yassıada,Istanbul, Turkey |
| Citizenship | Turkish |
| Political party | Republican People's Party (1935–1951) Democrat Party (1951–1960) |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | Istanbul University |
Mehmet Lütfi Kırdar (March 15, 1887 – February 17, 1961) was a Turkish physician, civil servant, politician and Minister of Health and Social Security. He is best remembered for his long-term position as the Governor and Mayor of Istanbul.
Lütfi Kırdar was born 1887 in his native city ofKirkuk (then the Ottoman Empire) to the prominentTurkmen Kirdar family. After finishing primary and secondary education in his hometown, he graduated from high school inBaghdad, Ottoman Empire. In 1908, he went toIstanbul to study medicine atIstanbul University.[1][2]
He interrupted his university education and entered the army when theBalkan Wars (1912–1913) outbroke. After the war, he resumed his university education and graduated in 1917 as a physician. He began his profession inNajaf (today inIraq). DuringWorld War I (1914-1918), he joined the army again.[1][2]
After the World War I, he returned to medicine serving in theTurkish Red Crescent. Having metMustafa Kemal Atatürk during theErzurum Congress (1919), he subsequently participated at theTurkish War of Independence (1919–1923) as the leader of military medical service. For his contributions, he was later awarded with theMedal of Independence.[1][2]
Following the proclamation of the Republic in 1923, Lütfi Kırdar conducted special studies onophthalmology inVienna, Austria andMunich, Germany. Returned home in 1924, he became Director of Health inİzmir. In 1933, Lütfi Kırdar took the post of an ophthalmologist at the State Hospital in İzmir.[1][2]
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Kırdar was elected deputy ofKütahya from theRepublican People's Party in1935. In 1936, he was appointed Governor ofManisa Province. On December 5, 1938, Lütfi Kırdar became Governor and Mayor ofIstanbul Province, serving at this post twelve years long until October 20, 1949.[1][2]
During his term as governor and mayor, important buildings were constructed in Istanbul, among themSport and Exhibition Center (renamed later Istanbul Lütfi Kırdar Convention and Exhibition Center),Cemil Topuzlu Open-Air Theatre,Mithat Pasha Stadium (renamed later BJK İnönü Stadium),Taksim Square and Atatürk Boulevard, which connectsGolden Horn withAksaray inFatih district.
In 1949, Lütfi Kırdar was appointed Ambassador toStockholm inSweden. In December the same year, he became deputy ofManisa from theRepublican People's Party (CHP) in the intermediate election. However, he lost his chair in the parliament in the1950 general election.[1][2]
Switched over to theDemocrat Party (DP), he was re-elected in the1954 general election as deputy of Istanbul, and again in the1957 general election.[1][2]
Prime ministerAdnan Menderes appointed Lütfi KırdarMinister of Health and Social Security on November 26, 1957. He served in the cabinet until May 27, 1960 when military overtook the government by the1960 Turkish coup d'état.[1][2]
He was arrested along with all other government ministers and brought before military tribunal onYassıada, an island inMarmara Sea. He died ofmyocardial infarction during hisdefense in the court on February 17, 1961.[2] Two days later, he was laid to rest at theZincirlikuyu Cemetery. He is survived by his two sons Erdem and Üner.[1]
Media related toLütfi Kırdar at Wikimedia Commons| Political offices | ||
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| Preceded by | Governor and Mayor of İstanbul December 5, 1938–October 20, 1949 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Minister of Health and Social Security November 26, 1957–May 27, 1960 | Succeeded by |
 Ambassadors of Turkey to Sweden | |
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| International | |
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| National | |
