Summary
Dr Edip Osman Somunoğlu (1904–1982) was a Turkish physician and public figure. In Sinior’s diary he is described as an ophthalmologist with the rank of major and director of the military hospital in Siirt. He appointed Sinior as his assistant, eased his conditions of service, put his tailoring skills to use and ultimately helped shorten his military service. Somunoğlu later served as mayor of Erzurum, a member of the Senate of the Republic, and Turkey’s minister of health and social assistance.
Life and career
Edip Osman Somunoğlu was born in Erzurum in 1904. After graduating from the Faculty of Medicine of the Darülfünun in Istanbul, he entered public medical service. He served as a government physician in Tercan and Akçaabat; as director of health in Gümüşhane, Denizli and Eskişehir; and as both regional head of the anti-malaria service and director of health in Trabzon.
He was mayor of Erzurum from 1955 to 1960. He later represented Erzurum in the Senate of the Republic from 1964 to 1973 and served as minister of health and social assistance from 1965 to 1967. He was married and had three children, and died in Istanbul in 1982.
Role in the diary
In segment 05.02, Sinior recounts his arrival at the military hospital in Siirt. The hospital director, an ophthalmologist with the rank of major named Dr Edip Osman, selected him as an assistant in treating eye patients: the doctor examined the patients and prescribed the medicines, while Sinior administered the drops. Dr Osman eased Sinior’s conditions, arranged a sprung bed for him and allowed him to sleep in the examination room.
In segment 05.03, Dr Osman learned that Sinior could sew. He gave him the still-unopened dental clinic to use as a workshop, where Sinior made clothes for hospital personnel. He later invited Sinior into his home to sew for members of the family and promised to seek a reduction of his service. According to the diary, the promise was kept and Sinior was discharged early.
Identification
The source provided by Michael identifies the diary’s Dr Edip Osman as the physician and politician Edip Osman Somunoğlu. The name, medical training, public-service career and chronology correspond to the diary’s account. The diary preserves the shorter form “Dr Edip Osman”, while later sources also use the surname Somunoğlu.
Sources
- The Diary of Sinior Demirel, Chapter Five, segments 05.02 and 05.03.
- Erzurum Encyclopedia – Osman Edip Somunoğlu.
- TBMM Album 1920–2010.