Autograph letter signed 'Hamdoullah Soubhi', to Rechid Safvet Atabinen

HAMDULLAH SUBHI [TANRIÖVER], (Turkish poet, intellectual, diplomat and politician), (1885-1966).

Geneve, 25 Dec. 1919.

Original autograph letter signed 'Hamdoullah Soubhi', to Rechid Safvet Atabinen, who was a counselor of Geneve International Economy Conference in 1919. 20x16 cm. Completely in French. 3 p. Subhi writes that he welcomes the dispatch from Constantinople, where he does not feel very well, to Geneva, where he feels young. He tells that Rifat Pasha (Turkish ambassador in Geneve) and he was late for that he delivered his 'biography' and 'portrait'. He mentions the meeting (probably, The Geneve International Economy Conference). Then he uses an interesting style by writing "It is not our duty to thank Rechid Safvet Bey, on behalf of those supporting us here, and to have defended the Turkish Cause with this documentation which follows...". He goes on as 'So much the news published in the Italian, French, English and German newspapers about our country is translated' and 'Also, having made a nine conference on the event that took place in Germany'...

Foxing on paper slightly chipped on margins. Folded.

Hamdullah Suphi Tanriöver was a highly influential Turkish poet, intellectual, diplomat, and politician. He adopted his surname Tanrıöver after the Turkish Surname Law was enacted in 1934. He was born to Abdüllatif Suphi Pasha, an Ottoman statesman in Constantinople in 1885. He studied at Galatasaray High School graduating in 1904. He later served as a translator, and a teacher for Turkish after earning a certificate. In Darülfünün, later renamed to Istanbul University, he was appointed professor of Islamic art. During the Turkish Republic era, he was elected to the parliament, and also served as a government minister. He married to Ayse Saide, who, according to some sources, was a descendant of two former Anatolian beys (Isfendiyarids and Ramazanids). During his childhood, his father's mansion was a meeting point of famous poets, and he was influenced by the poet community during his early years. He published his first poems in a literary newspaper published by his uncle in Paris, France. He began writing in Genç Kalemler (literally: "The Young Pens"), a literary periodical. He also distinguished himself as an orator. He took part in a committee, which was tasked to reflect the ordeal of the Turkish population in the Balkans after the Balkan Wars (1912-1913). During the Turkish War of Independence (1919-1923), he took side with Mustafa Kemal Pasha (Atatürk) and became a member of the 1st Parliament of Turkey. He was appointed Director of the Press and Information. Then, he served as the Minister of Education from 13 December 1920 to 20 November 1921 in the 1st, 2nd, and the 3rd cabinet of the Executive Ministers of Turkey. After the proclamation of the Republic, he served again as the Minister of National Education in the 4th government of Turkey between 3 March 1925 and 21 December 1925. In 1931, he was appointed Ambassador of Turkey to Romania in Bucharest. In 1943, he entered the parliament from the Republican People's Party. In 1950, he joined the newly founded Democrat Party. Several years later, however, following the struggle for the "Right to Prove" in the press, he co-founded the Liberty Party. He lost his seat when his political party was defeated in the 1957 general election. Resit Saffet [Safvet as well] Atabinen, (1884-1965), Turkish historian, diplomat, and member of parliament. 

Manuscript Autograph Turkish intelligentsia