SÜMER, Faruk

Historian (b. 5 November 1924, Bozkır / Konya – d. 21 October 1995, İstanbul). He attended primary and secondary school in İstanbul (1942).

In 1950, he became a doctor of history with his thesis, “XVI. Yüzyılda Anadolu Suriye ve Irak'ta Oğuz Boylarına Mensup Teşekküller” (Groups Related to Oghuz Clans in Anatolia, Syria and Iraq in the 16th century).

In 1955, he became associate professorship with his thesis, “Karakoyunlular” (Karakoyunlular) and in 1963 he became professor with his study titled, “Oğuzlara Ait Destanî Mahiyette Eserler” (Essential Characteristics of the Epic Works belonging to the Oghuz).

He chose to continue to work in Türkiye by refusing an offer to become the Head of the History Department at California University in 1971.

He gave lectures on Turkish Culture and History in London and Frankfurt Universities as a part-time lecturer and attended conferences in several Asian and European cities. In Türkiye, he lectured in Ankara University, Faculty of Language, History and Geography, at the Conservatory of Turkish Music, Adapazarı Conservatory and Mimar Sinan University. He retired in 1982. He is buried in Kozlu Graveyard in İstanbul.

MAIN WORKS:

Oğuzlar (Oğuzs, 1967), Dede Korkud Kitabı (The Book of Dede Korkut, with A. Edip Uysal and Warren S. Walker, 1972; in English: “The Book of Dede Korkut”, United States, 1992), Türklerde Atıcılık ve Binicilik (Marksmanship and Horse-riding in the Turks, 1982), Eski Türklerde Şehircilik (Urbanism in the Ancient Turks), 24 Oğuz Boyundan Biri Olan Çepniler (Çepnis, One of the 24 Tribes of the Oghuz), Yabanlu Pazarı (Yabanlı Market).