Niyazi Berkes (21 October 1908[1] – 18 December 1988[2]) was a Turkish Cypriot sociologist.
| Niyazi Berkes | |
|---|---|
| Born | 21 October 1908 Nicosia, Cyprus[1] |
| Died | 18 December 1988 (aged 80) Hythe[3], England |
| Occupation | Sociologist |
| Nationality | Turkish Cypriot |
| Education | Istanbul Erkek Lisesi (Istanbul Lycée, or Istanbul Boys’ High School)[2], Istanbul University |
| Notable work(s) | The Development of Secularism in the Turkish Revolution, Turkey’s Coming of Age |
| Spouse(s) | Mediha Hanım[4] |
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Berkes was born in Nicosia[3] on 21 October 1908. He started his secondary education in Cyprus, Nicosia. During his education, he later, went to Istanbul and graduated from Istanbul Erkek Lisesi (Istanbul Lycée, or Istanbul Boys’ High School ) in 1928.[2] In 1931, Berkes graduated from the Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Literature of Istanbul University.[2] In 1935, he then became an assistant at the same faculty.[2][1] In the same year, he had gone to United States and he had studied on sociology at the University of Chicago[4] until 1939. In 1939 he returned to Turkey and as an associate professor of sociology he attended to the Faculty of Languages, History and Geography of Ankara University[1] which had just opened a Philosophy Department.[5] He had worked there until 1945. In 1952, he was appointed visiting professor[6] at the Institute of Islamic Studies,[1] the McGill University in Canada. In 1956, he became professor in the same university.[2] He retired from McGill in 1975 and settled in England.[2][3] Berkes wrote no more books after his retirement but continued to write for the Turkish press.[7] He died on 18 December 1988 in Hythe[3] in England. He is known with his studies which are related with the historical and social evolution of Turkey. Beside some studies which reflect his views and ideas on theoretical sociology, he also did some research on the transitions of Turkey from Ottoman era.[2]