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Istanbul, 1873
Mehmet Akif ERSOY was born in 1873 in Istanbul. His father's name is Ipekli Tahir Bey and his mother's name is Emine Şerif Hanım. Although his original name was Ragif, he was called as Akif by his mother and his friends.
He had also a little sister whose name is Nuriye -
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Mehmet Akif ERSOY
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Education Years
He early started his education life. Akif was only 5 years old. After his first education experience he went on Fatih Merkez Secondary School in 1882. At this time he was taught Arabic language by his father. Then he registered Mülkiye Idadesi (High School). But unfortunately due to his father death and an occurring fire in their neighborhood, he could not carry on his education in Mülkiye İdadisi. He registered Tarım ve Veterinerlik Okulu (Agriculture and Vet School) instead of Mülkiye Idadisi. -
Working Life (1893-1913)
He started to work as an inspector. In 1898 he married with İsmet Hanım. They were parent of five. Although he was an inspector in Agriculture Institution, he was also interested in poem. He wrote poem for some magazines such as Servet-i Fünun. He also worked as Turkish Teacher in 1907. -
Political Life
Before or in Independence Years, he was always keen to independence of nation. He never thought of a country under mandate rule. So he was elected as deputy of Burdur in 1920 and fought for a free country. -
National Anthem
In 1921 he wrote national anthem of Turk, as known İstiklal Marşı. He attended a competition which was organized to find the new national anthem. There was an award for the best anthem. But Mehmet Akif attended to this competition in condition of refusing this award. -
Egypt Years (1929-1936)
Between 1929 and 1936 he lived in Egypt. He taught Turkish in these years in Câmiü’l-Mısriyye University. -
His Death
After his life in Egypt he decided to turn back his own country on June 17, 1936. After a short time he turned back to Istanbul he died on December 27, 1936. His grave is in Edirnekapı Cemetery.