Lawyer, farmer, politician and statesman. (B.
1899, Izmir- D. September 18, 1992, Aydin). His full name is Ibrahim Ethem
Menderes. He was graduated from Ankara Faculty of Law, and worked as a lawyer
and farmer. He completed his military service between 3.10.1916 and 7.11.1918. He was taken into military on 13.12.1920 and
took part in War of Independence. He was discharged on 23.8.1923. He became
Aydın Permanent Council member in 1933 and Aydin Mayor in 1938. When he was
mayor, he was called to military in 1941 and discharged in 1942 as lieutenant.
His political career started in Republican Free
Party (RFP), and then he joined Republican People's Party (RPP) and worked as
RPP Aydin Province Chairman for fifteen years. He resigned from RPP in 1945 and
established the Democrat Party (DP) Aydin provincial organization. He was elected as Aydın Deputy for DP in 1950, 1954 and 1957
elections. He worked as the Minister of Interior Affairs (1952-1954), Minister
of State (1955-1956), Minister of Foreign Affairs (1956-1957), Minister of
Public Works (1957-1958) and as Minister of National Defense (1954-1955,
1958-1960) in Adnan Menderes governments.
Ethem Menderes was put on trial in
Yassıada by High Justice Court after May 27, 1960 Military Coup and sentenced
to ten years of imprisonment. He was released in 1964 due to health conditions
and used the pardon law of same year. He died in Aydın on September 18, 1992. He was
buried in Aydın Telli Baba Cemetery.
REFERENCE:
Türkiye Ansiklopedisi 4 (1974), Yurt Ansiklopedisi (6. volume, 1981), Milliyet
Büyük Larousse Sözlük ve Ansiklopedisi (15. volume, 1986).
