Ionian University of Smyrna
Encyclopedia
The Ionian University of Smyrna was a university established by the local Greek authorities during the Greek Occupation of Smyrna (1919–1922), today Izmir
, Turkey
. The initiative for the organization of the institution was undertaken by the mathematician Constantin Carathéodory
. However, the University of Smyrna, the first to be established in the city, never operated due to the Greek defeat in the Greco-Turkish War and the subsequent evacuation in September 1922.
period. A total of 67 educational institutions were operating in early 20th century thanks to support from the local Greek community, the church as well as from private institutions. The most notable schools in the city were the Homer School for Girls, the Graeco-German Lycee and the Evangelical School. The latter was the most renowned possessing an archaeological museum, a natural science collection and a library.
political developments, while
the creation of a university in the city was one of Greek High Commissioner's, Aristidis Stergiadis
, deerest projects. For this purpose, Constantin Carathéodory
, mathematician, professor at the University of Göttingen, Germany
, and close friend of Albert Einstein
, came to Smyrna. He took up the management of the University on the instructions of the Greek government. For the same purpose, in September 1920 Georgios Ioakimoglou, lecturer of Pharmacology at Humboldt University of Berlin
, was also called to Smyrna to assist Carathéodory in organising the project and to take full professorship for hygiene and microbiology. On the evening of their arrival in Smyrna, Carathéodory and Ioakeimoglou, discussed with Stergiadis the situation and the measures that should be taken regading the foundation of the University.
Stergiadis promised to support this initiative and indeed, the Greek administration covered the expenses for the foundation, organization and management and granted them a large building, which was half-erected that time. The foundation of tha Ionian University was proclaimed with a High Commissioner's decree, at December 1920. This decree corresponded to the ideas that Carathéodory presented in a memorandum.
(İzmir İttihad ve Terakki Mektebi) by the governor of the Aydin Vilayet
Mustafa Rahmi Bey. However, its construction was not completed.
The University was to comprise four schools, namely for agriculture and natural sciences, oriental languages, for social and economic sciences and for trade and supervision of construction work. Parallel to the education of specialists in agriculture, the School of Agriculture had the task to organize seminars for landowners and farmers as well as advising them on more efficient cultivation methods; on how to fight plant and animal diseases and to conduct scientific research in its laboratories. It operated in conjunction with a big experimental farm at Tepekoy, near Smyrna, while British historian and correspondent of the Manchester Guardian in Smyrna that time, Arnold J. Toynbee, was very impressed by his visit in the university farm. One of Carathéodory's concerns was also the university library. On May 11, 1921 the High Commissioner's Office agreed to his proposed expenditure of 18,000 Swiss francs for the purchase of the library. Carathéodory organized the library according to the current European standards and thus he initiated cooperation with one of Leipzig
’s most prominent book catalog agencies. He also hired specialized technical personnel from Berlin
in order to prepare plans for the library’s indoor architecture and detailed designs for the metallic bookshelves.
Greek
was the intended language of instruction, in some cases Turkish
or other languages would be allowed. Admission to the university was to be open to all, irrespective sex or nationality provided the prerequisites determined through special regulations were met. Additionally, the university would have the right to accept guest students and to award doctorates, diplomas and certificates. The central administration of the institution would be accountable to the General Secretary.
.
In 1923, after the Turkish recovery of the city, the building began to used as the Izmir Teachers' College for Males (İzmir Erkek Muallim Mektebi). In 1936, after the Teachers' College for Males moved to Kızılçullu, Buca
under the authority of the Village Institutes
that was forming at the time, the building was assigned to Izmir Girls' High School (İzmir Kız Lisesi).
Izmir
Izmir is a large metropolis in the western extremity of Anatolia. The metropolitan area in the entire Izmir Province had a population of 3.35 million as of 2010, making the city third most populous in Turkey...
, Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
. The initiative for the organization of the institution was undertaken by the mathematician Constantin Carathéodory
Constantin Carathéodory
Constantin Carathéodory was a Greek mathematician. He made significant contributions to the theory of functions of a real variable, the calculus of variations, and measure theory...
. However, the University of Smyrna, the first to be established in the city, never operated due to the Greek defeat in the Greco-Turkish War and the subsequent evacuation in September 1922.
Background
Greek education in Smyrna was already thriving during the OttomanOttoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
period. A total of 67 educational institutions were operating in early 20th century thanks to support from the local Greek community, the church as well as from private institutions. The most notable schools in the city were the Homer School for Girls, the Graeco-German Lycee and the Evangelical School. The latter was the most renowned possessing an archaeological museum, a natural science collection and a library.
Carathéodory's initiative
Smyrna came under Greek control, as part of the post World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
political developments, while
the creation of a university in the city was one of Greek High Commissioner's, Aristidis Stergiadis
Aristidis Stergiadis
Aristidis Stergiadis was the Hellenic high-commissioner, or governor-general, of Smyrna from 1919 to 1922. He was selected for the post by Prime Minister Venizelos, who was a fellow Cretan. He is considered one of the darkest figures in modern Greek history...
, deerest projects. For this purpose, Constantin Carathéodory
Constantin Carathéodory
Constantin Carathéodory was a Greek mathematician. He made significant contributions to the theory of functions of a real variable, the calculus of variations, and measure theory...
, mathematician, professor at the University of Göttingen, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, and close friend of Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein was a German-born theoretical physicist who developed the theory of general relativity, effecting a revolution in physics. For this achievement, Einstein is often regarded as the father of modern physics and one of the most prolific intellects in human history...
, came to Smyrna. He took up the management of the University on the instructions of the Greek government. For the same purpose, in September 1920 Georgios Ioakimoglou, lecturer of Pharmacology at Humboldt University of Berlin
Humboldt University of Berlin
The Humboldt University of Berlin is Berlin's oldest university, founded in 1810 as the University of Berlin by the liberal Prussian educational reformer and linguist Wilhelm von Humboldt, whose university model has strongly influenced other European and Western universities...
, was also called to Smyrna to assist Carathéodory in organising the project and to take full professorship for hygiene and microbiology. On the evening of their arrival in Smyrna, Carathéodory and Ioakeimoglou, discussed with Stergiadis the situation and the measures that should be taken regading the foundation of the University.
Stergiadis promised to support this initiative and indeed, the Greek administration covered the expenses for the foundation, organization and management and granted them a large building, which was half-erected that time. The foundation of tha Ionian University was proclaimed with a High Commissioner's decree, at December 1920. This decree corresponded to the ideas that Carathéodory presented in a memorandum.
Facilities and schools
The building was begun in 1911 for the School of Union and ProgressCommittee of Union and Progress
The Committee of Union and Progress began as a secret society established as the "Committee of Ottoman Union" in 1889 by the medical students İbrahim Temo, Abdullah Cevdet, İshak Sükuti and Ali Hüseyinzade...
(İzmir İttihad ve Terakki Mektebi) by the governor of the Aydin Vilayet
Aydın Vilayet
The Vilayet of Aidin or Aydin, , also known as Vilayet of Smyrna or Izmir after its administrative centre, was a vilayet of the Ottoman Empire in the south-west of Asia Minor including the ancient Lydia, Ionia, Carla and western Lycia...
Mustafa Rahmi Bey. However, its construction was not completed.
The University was to comprise four schools, namely for agriculture and natural sciences, oriental languages, for social and economic sciences and for trade and supervision of construction work. Parallel to the education of specialists in agriculture, the School of Agriculture had the task to organize seminars for landowners and farmers as well as advising them on more efficient cultivation methods; on how to fight plant and animal diseases and to conduct scientific research in its laboratories. It operated in conjunction with a big experimental farm at Tepekoy, near Smyrna, while British historian and correspondent of the Manchester Guardian in Smyrna that time, Arnold J. Toynbee, was very impressed by his visit in the university farm. One of Carathéodory's concerns was also the university library. On May 11, 1921 the High Commissioner's Office agreed to his proposed expenditure of 18,000 Swiss francs for the purchase of the library. Carathéodory organized the library according to the current European standards and thus he initiated cooperation with one of Leipzig
Leipzig
Leipzig Leipzig has always been a trade city, situated during the time of the Holy Roman Empire at the intersection of the Via Regia and Via Imperii, two important trade routes. At one time, Leipzig was one of the major European centres of learning and culture in fields such as music and publishing...
’s most prominent book catalog agencies. He also hired specialized technical personnel from Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
in order to prepare plans for the library’s indoor architecture and detailed designs for the metallic bookshelves.
Greek
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
was the intended language of instruction, in some cases Turkish
Turkish language
Turkish is a language spoken as a native language by over 83 million people worldwide, making it the most commonly spoken of the Turkic languages. Its speakers are located predominantly in Turkey and Northern Cyprus with smaller groups in Iraq, Greece, Bulgaria, the Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo,...
or other languages would be allowed. Admission to the university was to be open to all, irrespective sex or nationality provided the prerequisites determined through special regulations were met. Additionally, the university would have the right to accept guest students and to award doctorates, diplomas and certificates. The central administration of the institution would be accountable to the General Secretary.
Evacuation of Smyrna and the fate of the library
On the eve of the Greek defeat in Anatolia during the Greco-Turkish War, all the measures necessary for managing the university had been taken. The Institute of Hygiene and the library were scheduled for inauguration in October 10, 1922. However, the university would not be able to open due to developments in the ongoing Greco-Turkish War which ended with the Greek defeat and the evacuation of Asia Minor, in September 1922. Carathéodory managed to transfer the material, which was originally destined for use at the University of Smyrna, to the new Central Library of Athens UniversityNational and Kapodistrian University of Athens
The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens , usually referred to simply as the University of Athens, is the oldest university in Southeast Europe and has been in continuous operation since its establishment in 1837. Today, it is the second-largest institution of higher learning in Greece,...
.
In 1923, after the Turkish recovery of the city, the building began to used as the Izmir Teachers' College for Males (İzmir Erkek Muallim Mektebi). In 1936, after the Teachers' College for Males moved to Kızılçullu, Buca
Buca
Buca is a district of İzmir Province of Turkey. It is one of the main districts of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality.Buca was one of the preferred settlement areas of İzmir's community of Levantines...
under the authority of the Village Institutes
Village Institutes
Village Institutes is a group of co-ed, public, boarding, normal schools that were operational between 1940 and 1954 in Turkey. They were the cornerstones of the rural development project. At the time there weren't any schools in most of the villages...
that was forming at the time, the building was assigned to Izmir Girls' High School (İzmir Kız Lisesi).