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{{short description|Turkish politician}}
[[Image:Replace this image male.svg|right]]

'''Berç Keresteciyan''' (aka '''Berç Türker Keresteciyan''' or '''Berç Keresteciyan Türker''') (1870 – 1949) was a [[Turkish people|Turkish]] bank executive and politician of [[Armenians in Turkey|Armenian]] descent.
{{Infobox person
| name = Berç Türker
⚫
| image = Kigork Berç Keresteciyan (Türker).jpg
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_date = 1870
| birth_place = Istanbul, Ottoman Empire.
| death_date = {{Death year and age|1949|1870}}
| death_place = [[Istanbul]], [[Turkey]]
| nationality = Turkish
⚫
| other_names = Berç Keresteciyan Türker
| known_for = [[Hyperpolyglot]]
| occupation = Bank executive and politician
| parents = Sazik and Mgrdich Kerestejian
| alma mater = [[Galatasaray High School]], [[Robert College]]
}}

'''Berç Türker''' (also known as '''Berç Türker Keresteci'''<ref>{{Google books |id=-NklAAAAMAAJ |page=145 |title=Türkiye Büyük Millet Meclisi albümü, 23 Nisan, 1920-14 Ekim, 1973 }}</ref> or '''Berç Keresteciyan Türker'''; or '''Berj Kerestejian''', {{langx|hy|Պերճ Քերեստեջյան}}) (1870–1949) was an [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]]-[[Republic of Turkey|Turkish]] bank executive and politician of ethnic [[Armenians|Armenian]] origin.


==Early life==
==Early life==
He was born 1870 in [[Istanbul]] (former [[Constantinople]]), the capital of the [[Ottoman Empire]] to an Armenian family. His father Mıgırdıç Keresteciyan, manager of customs office of Constantinople, died when he was five years old. His unmarried uncle Bedros Keresteciyan, manager at
Türker was born in 1870 in [[Istanbul|Constantinople]], the capital of the [[Ottoman Empire]], into an [[Armenians in the Ottoman Empire|Armenian]] family. His father Mgrdich Kerestejian, manager of the customs office of Constantinople, died when he was five years old. His unmarried uncle [[Bedros Keresteciyan]], manager at the External Communications Office of the [[Sublime Porte]] up to 1890 and manager of the Translation Office of the Finance Ministry until his death in 1909, a [[hyperpolyglot]] in 10 languages and author of the [[etymology|etymological]] dictionary of the [[Turkish language]], raised him and greatly influenced his formation. A specialist in financial and economic affairs, Bedros Keresteciyan taught his nephew in these fields. Berç first attended the prestigious [[Galatasaray High School]], a public school which provided education in the [[French language]], later transferring to [[Robert College]], an American quasi-missionary private school.
the External Communications Office of the [[Sublime Porte]] up to 1890 and manager of the Translation Office of the Finance Ministry until his death in 1909, a [[hyperpolyglot]] in 10 languages and author of the [[etymology|etymological]] dictionary of the [[Turkish language]], raised him and influenced much his formation. A specialist in financial and economic affairs, Bedros Keresteciyan taught his nephew also in these fields. Berç attended first [[Galatasaray Lycee]], a public school in [[French language]], transferred however later to [[Robert College]], an American quasi-missionary private school.


==Professional career==
==Professional career==
After his education at Robert College, Berç Keresteciyan was employed by the Finance Ministry, where he served for two years. Then, his uncle appointed him to the [[Ottoman Bank]], an institution with half European (English and French) and half Ottoman in character and cosmopolitan personnel.
After his education at Robert College, Berç Keresteciyan was employed by the Finance Ministry, where he served for two years. Then, his uncle appointed him to the [[Ottoman Bank]], an institution with half European (English and French) and half Ottoman in character and cosmopolitan personnel.


After the [[Ottoman Bank takeover|raid]] of August 26, 1896 carried out by the [[Armenian Revolutionary Federation|Armenian nationalist committees]], Berç Keresteciyan was sent by his European supervisors as precaution to [[Cairo]], [[Egypt]] as branch manager along with some other non-Muslim middle level officials. He worked also in the [[Smyrna]] branch.
After the [[Ottoman Bank takeover|raid]] of August 26, 1896 carried out by the [[Armenian Revolutionary Federation]], Berç Keresteciyan was sent by his European supervisors as precaution to [[Cairo]], [[Egypt]] as branch manager along with some other non-Muslim middle level officials. He worked also in the [[İzmir]] branch.


As the [[Turkish Red Crescent]] ({{lang-ota|Osmanlı Hilal-i Ahmer Cemiyeti}}) was re-established for the third and last time in 1911, Berç Keresteciyan was a co-founder, became the only non-Muslim member of the executive committee and later vice chairman of the humanitarian institution.
As the [[Turkish Red Crescent]] ({{langx|ota|Osmanlı Hilal-i Ahmer Cemiyeti}}) was re-established for the third and last time in 1911, Berç Keresteciyan was a co-founder, became the only non-Muslim member of the executive committee and later vice chairman of the humanitarian institution.


With the outbreak of [[World War I]] and the participation of the Ottoman Empire in the war, the Bank's officials of British and French nationality fell in the position of citizens of hostile countries. The Ottomans threatened the Bank with confiscation, and the general manager and his deputy had to leave their posts and the country until the end of the war. The administration was taken over by non-Muslim Ottomans. Berç Keresteciyan was among them. He was deputy general manager and later became general manager of the Bank.
With the outbreak of [[World War I]] and the participation of the Ottoman Empire in the war, the Bank's officials of British and French nationality fell in the position of citizens of hostile countries. The Ottomans threatened the Bank with confiscation, and the general manager and his deputy had to leave their posts and the country until the end of the war. The administration was taken over by non-Muslim Ottomans. Berç Keresteciyan was among them. He was deputy general manager and later became general manager of the Bank.

He served for a period as a Deputy at the [[Chamber of Deputies (Ottoman Empire)|Chamber of Deputies]],<ref>{{Google books |id=dFttAAAAMAAJ |page=103 |title=Tarih: Türk dünyası tarih ve kültür dergisi, 217–228. sayılar }}</ref> the lower house of the [[Ottoman Parliament]].


==Turkish War of Independence==
==Turkish War of Independence==
An [[anecdote]] is being told about his contribution to save the life of [[Mustafa Kemal Atatürk]], as he informed Atatürk's lawyer about a British plot to sink his ship [[SS Bandırma|SS ''Bandırma'']] in the [[Black Sea]], on which Atatürk left Istanbul in 1919 to initiate the [[Turkish War of Independence]].
An [[anecdote]] is being told about his contribution to save the life of [[Mustafa Kemal Atatürk]], as he informed Atatürk's lawyer about a British plot to sink his ship [[SS Bandırma|SS ''Bandırma'']] in the [[Black Sea]], on which Atatürk left Constantinople (today-[[Istanbul]]) in 1919 to initiate the [[Turkish War of Independence]]. He was awarded the white stripe [[Medal of Independence (Turkey)|Medal of Independence]] after the war.


In 1923, Berç Keresteciyan sent a telegram to Atatürk in his capacity as the honorary president of the Turco-Armenian Friendship Association and a member of the secular council of the Armenian
In 1923, Berç Keresteciyan sent a telegram to Atatürk in his capacity as the honorary president of the Turco-Armenian Friendship Association and a member of the secular council of the [[Armenian Patriarchate of Istanbul|Armenian Patriarchate]], confirming the loyalty and the support of his community to the political authority of the government in [[Ankara]].
Patriarchate, confirming the loyalty and the support of his community to the political authority of the government in [[Ankara]].


Following the [[Atatürk's reforms|surname reform]] on June 21, 1934, Atatürk gave Berç Keresteciyan the family name Türker for his patriotic kindness.
Following the [[Atatürk's reforms|surname reform]] on June 21, 1934, Atatürk gave Berç Keresteciyan the family name Türker ([[Turkish language|Turkish]] for ''Turk man'') for his patriotism.<ref name="Afyonkarahisar milletvekilleri">{{Google books |id=7htMAQAAIAAJ |page=107 |title=Afyonkarahisar milletvekilleri: yaşam öyküleri ve meclisteki faaliyetleri }}</ref>


==Political career==
==Political career==
[[File:Premières élections des minorités de Turquie - Akşam, 1935 (Atatürk, Berç Keresteciyan et Nikola Taptas).jpg|thumb|left|Premières élections des minorités de Turquie - Akşam, 1935 (Atatürk, Berç Keresteciyan et Nikola Taptas)]] [[File:Berç Keresteciyan Türker - élu de la minorité arménienne, 1935.jpg|thumb|right|Berç Keresteciyan Türker - élu de la minorité arménienne, 1935]]
The British and French executives of the Ottoman Bank returned to their positions after the World War I. The Bank retired Berç Keresteciyan early in 1927 for his contribution to Turkification efforts.
⚫
Encouraged and supported by [[Atatürk]],<ref name="Afyonkarahisar milletvekilleri" /> he run as an independent candidate for a deputy seat from [[Afyonkarahisar]] at the 1935 general elections and became a member of the [[Turkish Grand National Assembly]] on March 7, 1935 as the first Armenian and one of the four non-Muslims in total.<ref>{{Google books |id=T3BpAAAAMAAJ |page=102 |title=Ermeni portreleri }}</ref> The same day, he also became a member of the economic commission of the parliament thanks to his expertise. He repeated his membership of the parliament twice more after the general elections in 1939 and 1943.

⚫
He run as an independent deputy from [[Afyonkarahisar]] at the 1935 general elections and became member of the [[Turkish Grand National Assembly]] on March 7, 1935 as the only Armenian and one of the four non-Muslims in total. The same day, he became also member of the economic commission of the parliament thanks to his expertise. He repeated his membership of the parliament twice more after the general elections in 1939 and 1943.


During his political career in the parliament, Berç Türker Keresteciyan made significant contributions to issues of general political, economic, social and international developments.
During his political career in the parliament, Berç Türker Keresteciyan made significant contributions to issues of general political, economic, social and international developments.


After his retirement in 1947, he lived on [[Büyükada]], Istanbul. Berç Türker Keresteciyan died in 1949.
After his retirement in 1947, he lived at [[Büyükada]], Istanbul. Berç Türker Keresteciyan died in Istanbul, on 27 July 1949, and interred on 29 July in the same city.<ref name="cumhuriyetarsivi">{{cite web|url=http://www.cumhuriyetarsivi.com/monitor/index.xhtml|title=Cumhuriyet Arşivi|publisher=cumhuriyetarsivi.com|access-date=2015-06-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127033149/http://www.cumhuriyetarsivi.com/monitor/index.xhtml|archive-date=2015-11-27|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
* Semi Ertan, ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20120323021207/http://www.belgeler.com/blg/12da/an-armenian-at-the-turkish-parliament-in-the-early-republican-period-berc-turker-keresteciyan-1870-1949-erken-cumhuriyet-doneminde-t-b-m-m-de-bir-ermeni-berc-turker-keresteciyan-1870-1949 An Armenian at the Turkish parliament in the early republican period: Berç Türker-Keresteciyan, 1870-1949]'', thesis, Sabancı University, İstanbul, 2005
* [http://digital.sabanciuniv.edu/tezler/etezfulltext/ertansemi.pdf Research on Berç Türker Keresteciyan's life]

{{authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Turker Keresteciyan, Berc}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Turker Keresteciyan, Berc}}
[[Category:1949 deaths]]
[[Category:1949 deaths]]
[[Category:1870 births]]
[[Category:1870 births]]
⚫
[[Category:Businesspeople from Istanbul]]
[[Category:Armenians from the Ottoman Empire]]
[[Category:Turkish people of Armenian descent]]
[[Category:Turkish people of Armenian descent]]
[[Category:Armenian people from Konstantiniyye]]
[[Category:Deputies of Afyonkarahisar]]
⚫
[[Category:Ottomans from Konstantiniyye]]
[[Category:Robert College alumni]]
[[Category:Turkish bankers]]
[[Category:Turkish bankers]]
[[Category:Galatasaray High School alumni]]
[[Category:Galatasaray High School alumni]]
[[Category:Members of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey]]
[[Category:Robert College alumni]]
[[Category:Ethnic Armenian politicians]]

[[Category:Armenian bankers]]
⚫
[[fr:Berç Keresteciyan Türker]]
[[Category:Members of the 7th Parliament of Turkey]]
⚫
[[tr:Berç Keresteciyan Türker]]
[[Category:Members of the 6th Parliament of Turkey]]
[[Category:Members of the 8th Parliament of Turkey]]
[[Category:Bankers from the Ottoman Empire]]

Latest revision as of 20:34, 1 November 2024

Berç Türker
Born1870
Istanbul, Ottoman Empire.
Died1949 (aged 78–79)
Istanbul, Turkey
NationalityTurkish
Other namesBerç Keresteciyan Türker
Alma materGalatasaray High School, Robert College
Occupation(s)Bank executive and politician
Known forHyperpolyglot
Parent(s)Sazik and Mgrdich Kerestejian

Berç Türker (also known as Berç Türker Keresteci[1] or Berç Keresteciyan Türker; or Berj Kerestejian, Armenian: Պերճ Քերեստեջյան) (1870–1949) was an Ottoman-Turkish bank executive and politician of ethnic Armenian origin.

Early life

[edit]

Türker was born in 1870 in Constantinople, the capital of the Ottoman Empire, into an Armenian family. His father Mgrdich Kerestejian, manager of the customs office of Constantinople, died when he was five years old. His unmarried uncle Bedros Keresteciyan, manager at the External Communications Office of the Sublime Porte up to 1890 and manager of the Translation Office of the Finance Ministry until his death in 1909, a hyperpolyglot in 10 languages and author of the etymological dictionary of the Turkish language, raised him and greatly influenced his formation. A specialist in financial and economic affairs, Bedros Keresteciyan taught his nephew in these fields. Berç first attended the prestigious Galatasaray High School, a public school which provided education in the French language, later transferring to Robert College, an American quasi-missionary private school.

Professional career

[edit]

After his education at Robert College, Berç Keresteciyan was employed by the Finance Ministry, where he served for two years. Then, his uncle appointed him to the Ottoman Bank, an institution with half European (English and French) and half Ottoman in character and cosmopolitan personnel.

After the raid of August 26, 1896 carried out by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, Berç Keresteciyan was sent by his European supervisors as precaution to Cairo, Egypt as branch manager along with some other non-Muslim middle level officials. He worked also in the İzmir branch.

As the Turkish Red Crescent (Ottoman Turkish: Osmanlı Hilal-i Ahmer Cemiyeti) was re-established for the third and last time in 1911, Berç Keresteciyan was a co-founder, became the only non-Muslim member of the executive committee and later vice chairman of the humanitarian institution.

With the outbreak of World War I and the participation of the Ottoman Empire in the war, the Bank's officials of British and French nationality fell in the position of citizens of hostile countries. The Ottomans threatened the Bank with confiscation, and the general manager and his deputy had to leave their posts and the country until the end of the war. The administration was taken over by non-Muslim Ottomans. Berç Keresteciyan was among them. He was deputy general manager and later became general manager of the Bank.

He served for a period as a Deputy at the Chamber of Deputies,[2] the lower house of the Ottoman Parliament.

Turkish War of Independence

[edit]

An anecdote is being told about his contribution to save the life of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, as he informed Atatürk's lawyer about a British plot to sink his ship SS Bandırma in the Black Sea, on which Atatürk left Constantinople (today-Istanbul) in 1919 to initiate the Turkish War of Independence. He was awarded the white stripe Medal of Independence after the war.

In 1923, Berç Keresteciyan sent a telegram to Atatürk in his capacity as the honorary president of the Turco-Armenian Friendship Association and a member of the secular council of the Armenian Patriarchate, confirming the loyalty and the support of his community to the political authority of the government in Ankara.

Following the surname reform on June 21, 1934, Atatürk gave Berç Keresteciyan the family name Türker (Turkish for Turk man) for his patriotism.[3]

Political career

[edit]
Premières élections des minorités de Turquie - Akşam, 1935 (Atatürk, Berç Keresteciyan et Nikola Taptas)
Berç Keresteciyan Türker - élu de la minorité arménienne, 1935

Encouraged and supported by Atatürk,[3] he run as an independent candidate for a deputy seat from Afyonkarahisar at the 1935 general elections and became a member of the Turkish Grand National Assembly on March 7, 1935 as the first Armenian and one of the four non-Muslims in total.[4] The same day, he also became a member of the economic commission of the parliament thanks to his expertise. He repeated his membership of the parliament twice more after the general elections in 1939 and 1943.

During his political career in the parliament, Berç Türker Keresteciyan made significant contributions to issues of general political, economic, social and international developments.

After his retirement in 1947, he lived at Büyükada, Istanbul. Berç Türker Keresteciyan died in Istanbul, on 27 July 1949, and interred on 29 July in the same city.[5]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Türkiye Büyük Millet Meclisi albümü, 23 Nisan, 1920-14 Ekim, 1973, p. 145, at Google Books
  2. ^ Tarih: Türk dünyası tarih ve kültür dergisi, 217–228. sayılar, p. 103, at Google Books
  3. ^ a b Afyonkarahisar milletvekilleri: yaşam öyküleri ve meclisteki faaliyetleri, p. 107, at Google Books
  4. ^ Ermeni portreleri, p. 102, at Google Books
  5. ^ "Cumhuriyet Arşivi". cumhuriyetarsivi.com. Archived from the original on 2015-11-27. Retrieved 2015-06-12.
[edit]
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