Gürsel, Cemal

Gürsel, Cemal

(jĕmäl` gürsĕl`), 1895–1966, Turkish army officer and political leader. He fought in World War I and in most of the military campaigns during the war of independence (1920–23). Gürsel remained in the army and in 1958 became commander of Turkish ground forces. A popular army figure, he led the coup of May, 1960, which overthrew Prime Minister Adnan MenderesMenderes, Adnan
, 1899–1961, Turkish prime minister (1950–60). In Jan., 1946, he formed the Democratic party, the first legal opposition party in Turkey. When the party came to power (1950), Menderes became prime minister, and in 1955 he also assumed the duties of
..... Click the link for more information.
 (see also TurkeyTurkey,
Turk. Türkiye , officially Republic of Turkey, republic (2015 est. pop. 78,271,000), 301,380 sq mi (780,574 sq km), SW Asia and SE Europe. It borders on Iraq (SE), Syria and the Mediterranean Sea (S), the Aegean Sea (W), Greece and Bulgaria (NW), on the Black
..... Click the link for more information.
). Gürsel resisted attempts to continue military rule and was elected president of the republic in 1961. Because of illness, he was succeeded as president by Cevdet SunaySunay, Cevdet
, 1900–1973, Turkish political leader and army officer, president of Turkey (1966–73). Educated at military schools, he served in World War I and the subsequent nationalist revolt.
..... Click the link for more information.
 in Mar., 1966, and died in September.

Gürsel, Cemal

 

Born 1895 in Erzurum; died Sept. 14, 1966, in Ankara. Turkish military and government figure. General.

Gürsel headed the supreme organ of power, the National Unity Committee, formed by the military leaders of the coup d’etat of May 27, 1960. Until the end of October 1961 he was simultaneously Turkey’s head of state and of government, as well as being commander of the armed forces. He became president in November 1961. He was relieved of this post on Mar. 28, 1966, because of serious illness.