Kemal Zeytinoğlu (1911–1959) was a Turkish engineer and politician being a member of the Democrat Party (DP). He assumed various cabinet posts in the 1950s under Prime Minister Adnan Menderes. He died in a plane crash in the United Kingdom.

Early life and education

Zeytinoğlu was born in Kütahya in 1911. His father was a businessman, Mesut Zeytinoğlu. The family hailed from Tavşanlı, Kütahya. His brother, Aziz, was also a politician and served as a deputy between 1961 and 1969. His younger brother was Mümtaz Zeytinoğlu, a businessman who died in a road accident on February 1979. He graduated from Istanbul Engineering School and received a PhD in

civil engineering Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including public works such as roads, bridges, canals, dams, airports, sewa ...

in Vienna.

Career

Following his graduation he worked as a civil engineer in

Eskişehir Eskişehir ( , ; from "old" and "city") is a city in northwestern Turkey and the capital of the Eskişehir Province. The urban population of the city is 898,369 with a metropolitan population of 797,708. The city is located on the banks of the ...

. In 1946 he joined the newly founded Democrat Party and took part in the establishment of its Eskişehir organization. He was first elected as a deputy for Eskişehir in 1946 election and served at the Parliament during the 8th legislature. He also served at the

Parliament In modern politics, and history, a parliament is a legislative body of government. Generally, a modern parliament has three functions: representing the electorate, making laws, and overseeing the government via hearings and inquiries. Th ...

in the 9th and 10th legislatures. Zeytinoğlu was first appointed

minister of public works This list indicates government departments in various countries dedicated to public works or infrastructure. See also * Public works * Ministry or Board of Public Works, the imperial Chinese ministry overseeing public projects from the Tang ...

on 22 December 1950 and remained in office in the three successive cabinets ( 19th cabinet, 20th cabinet and 21st cabinet) led by Adnan Menderes.

Personal life and death

He was married and had two children. Zeytinoğlu was accompanying Prime Minister Adnan Menderes in a state visit on the Cyprus issue to be held in London on 17 February 1959. The plane

crashed "Crashed" is the third U.S. rock Single (music), single, (the fifth overall), from the band Daughtry (band), Daughtry's debut album. It was released only to U.S. rock stations on September 5, 2007. Upon its release the song got adds at those stat ...

in Jordan's Wood, Newdigate, Surrey, near London Gatwick Airport, and killed Zeytinoğlu and thirteen other Turkish officials, including crew members. Menderes survived the accident. Zeytinoğlu's body was brought to Ankara by the British Air Force plane and then, to Eskişehir by train for burial which took place on 24 February.

Legacy

There are many streets named after him in Tavşanlı, Kütahya, and Eskişehir.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Zeytinoglu, Kemal 20th-century Turkish engineers 1911 births 1959 deaths Democrat Party (Turkey, 1946–1961) politicians Deputies of Eskişehir Ministers of Public Works of Turkey Members of the 19th government of Turkey Members of the 20th government of Turkey Members of the 21st government of Turkey Members of the 8th Parliament of Turkey Members of the 9th Parliament of Turkey Members of the 10th Parliament of Turkey People from Tavşanlı Turkish civil engineers Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in England