Kemal Zeytinoğlu

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 younger brother was Mümtaz Zeytinoğlu, a businessman who died in a road accident in February 1979.

He graduated from Istanbul Engineering School and received a PhD in civil engineering in Vienna.

Career Following his graduation Zeytinoğlu worked as a civil engineer in Eskişehir. and remained in office in the three successive cabinets led by Adnan Menderes (19th cabinet, 20th cabinet and 21st cabinet).

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 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.