Physician, administrator, former Istanbul
governor and mayor, politician, deputy, Minister of Health (B. March 15, 1888,
Kirkuk D. February 17, 1961, Istanbul). His full name is Mehmet Lutfi Kırdar
and he is referred as Lütfi Kırdar in some resources and as Lütfi Kırdar in
TGNA records. After graduating from Istanbul Faculty of Medicine (1913), he
worked as a physician in Necef and Mosul which
were within the borders of Turkey
back then; as the Chairman of Red Crescent during the years of National
Struggle, and as a physician in Izmir State Hospital
after the Republic. His administrative life began when he was
appointed as the Manisa governor in 1936. Then he became the governor and mayor
of Istanbul
(1938-1949). During this post that lasted until 1949, he
gave a huge importance to public works and was known with construction works he did. Sports and
Exhibition Hall, Open Theatrer, Inonu Stadium, Taksim Gezi park were all
completed during the governorship and mayorship of Lütfi Kirdar.
Lütfi Kırdar was elected as Republican People's Party (RPP) Manisa
deputy in 1949 by-election; but he could not be elected into the parliament in
1950 general elections. He was elected as independent deputy in 1954 general
elections from the list of Democrat Party (DP), and then he joined DP. He was
the Minister of Health and Social Aid (1957-1960). He was arrested along with
other DP members in May 27, 1960 Coup. He passed away during his trial in High Justice Court
at Yassıada. In 1988, his name was
given to the Sports and Exhibition Hall which was built during his Istanbul governorship.
REFERENCE: Türkiye Ansiklopedisi 3 (1974), Milliyet Büyük Larousse
Sözlük ve Ansiklopedisi (13. volume 1986).
