Yahya Kemal Beyatlı, a prominent figure in Turkish poetry during the Republic Period, was born in Skopje on November 2, 1884. Serving as a crucial link between classical Ottoman poetry and modern forms. His early education in Skopje and subsequent relocation to Thessaloniki marked the beginning of a tumultuous yet formative period, during which the loss of his mother deeply affected him. Sent to Istanbul for secondary education, his fascination with French literature and the Young Turks movement led him to Paris in 1903, where he perfected his French and pursued studies in political science at Sciences Po. During this period, he was especially influenced by Albert Sorel. Later, he transferred to the literature faculty at the Sorbonne. Klaus Kreiser, in his article "Le Paris des Ottomans à la Belle Époque," notes that Yahya Kemal was not particularly a diligent student; yet, unlike his peers, he was already a well-known poet at the time. Although he did not graduate, his time in Paris profoundly shaped his literary identity.
Returning to Istanbul in 1913, Yahya Kemal pursued a career in education, teaching history and literature. A recommendation from Ziya Gökalp led to his appointment as a lecturer in the history of civilization at Darülfünun (now the University of Istanbul) in 1916. Beyond academia, his literary output included contributions to various publications, and he became a fervent supporter of the National Struggle. As an influential figure in Turkish intellectual circles, he served as editor-in-chief of a newspaper, held parliamentary positions in different provinces, and represented Turkey as an ambassador and envoy in several countries, most notably Spain. He passed away in Istanbul on November 1, 1958.
