Founder of Modern Entomological Science in Turkey: Mehmed Süreyya Özek (1885-1969)
Mehmed Süreyya Özek is a versatile scientist devoted to the study of natural sciences and agriculture. His various research trips took him as far as Central Europe. He worked at the Agricultural Institute in Paris, especially on ‘Coccidae’ at the Natural History Museums in Vienna and Berlin. His later life was shaped by his work as a professor of entomology at Halkalı Agricultural School and Forestry School. In 1924, he became Undersecretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, in 1927 State Counsellor and worked in the same ministry until his retirement in 1950. Özek reached an important position in three different areas of his life: In the academic field, he gave various lectures on forestry and agricultural entomology and trained many students. He won the affection of his students with his kind and impressive behaviour. He worked in different fields of practical entomology and was a pioneer of modern entomological science in Turkey. He left his mark on Turkish agriculture as the best expert on the locust fauna of Thrace. As a colleague of the German scientist Boher, he played an important role in the preparation of the first locust survey in Turkey in 1916 and 1917. He not only passed on his extensive knowledge of the Turkish insect world, but also answered many unanswered questions. He established friendship with the world's leading entomologists and transferred his knowledge to Turkey. Süreyya Özek has been an important figure and a pioneer in the progress of the new Turkey from the very beginning. This research is the first attempt to discuss the life, works and contributions to Turkish agriculture of Özek, who is considered the founder of entomology in Turkey. The article aims to reveal Özek’s contributions to Turkish agriculture by analysing his life in detail.
Türkiye’de Modern Entomoloji Biliminin Kurucusu: Mehmed Süreyya Özek (1885-1969)
Mehmed Süreyya Özek, kendisini doğa bilimleri ve tarım çalışmalarına adamış çok yönlü bir bilim insanıdır. Çeşitli araştırma gezileri onu Orta Avrupa’ya kadar götürmüştür. Paris’teki Tarım Enstitüsünde özellikle “Coccidae” üzerine Viyana ve Berlin’deki Doğa Tarihi müzelerinde çalışmıştır. Daha sonraki yaşamı, Halkalı Ziraat Mektebi ve sonrasında Orman Mektebinde entomoloji profesörü olarak gerçekleştirdiği çalışmalarla biçimlenmiştir. 1924 yılında Tarım Bakanlığı Müsteşarlığına atanmış, 1927 yılında Devlet Müşaviri olmuş ve 1950 yılında emekli olana kadar aynı bakanlıkta çalışmıştır. Özek, yaşamının üç farklı alanında önemli bir konuma ulaşmıştır: Akademik bir öğretim üyesi, araştırmacı ve devlet adamı olarak. Akademik alanda, ormancılık ve tarım entomolojisi konularında çeşitli dersler vermiş, pek çok öğrenci yetiştirmiştir. Nazik ve etkileyici tutumuyla öğrencilerinin sevgisini kazanmıştır. Araştırmacı olarak pratik entomolojinin farklı alanlarında görev almış, Türkiye’de modern entomoloji biliminin öncüsü olmuştur. Trakya çekirge faunası konusunda en iyi uzman olarak Türk tarımında iz bırakmıştır. Alman bilim insanı Boher’in çalışma arkadaşı olarak 1916 ve 1917 yıllarında Türkiye’de gerçekleştirilen ilk çekirge araştırmasının hazırlanmasında ve hayata geçirilmesinde önemli bir rol üstlenmiştir. Türk tarımına olan bağlılığı ve gerçekleştirdiği araştırmalarla yenilikler sunmuştur. Yalnızca Türk böcek dünyasına dair geniş bilgilerini aktarmakla kalmamış, aynı zamanda pek çok cevapsız sorunun yanıtını da vermiştir. Dünyanın önde gelen büyük entomologlarıyla dostluk bağı kurmuş ve bu yönde edindiği bilgi birikimini Türkiye’ye aktarmıştır. Türk ulusunu ve vatanını içtenlikle seven Özek, yeni Türkiye’nin ilerlemesinde en başından itibaren önemli figür ve öncü bir görev üstlenmiştir. Bu araştırma, Türkiye’de entomoloji biliminin kurucusu kabul edilen Özek’in yaşamı, eserleri ve Türk tarımına sağladığı katkıları ele alan ilk denemedir. Makale, Özek’in hayatını detaylı bir şekilde inceleyerek Türk tarımına yaptığı katkıları ortaya çıkarmayı amaçlamaktadır.
Entomology is the study of insects. This field provides methods to recognise and control pests that threaten agricultural production, sustainability and crop yields. Turkey, an agriculture-based society in the early twentieth century, faced serious challenges due to insect infestations that destroyed crops and jeopardised food security. Pioneering entomologists, who observed this situation on the ground, endeavoured to use scientific knowledge in practice to alleviate the effects of infestations on the population and solve problems, thus contributing to the economic and social development of the country. In this context, the decision to specialise in the field of ‘entomology’, which emerged in Turkey in the early 20th century, reflects an intellectual effort to show that this field has a significant potential for the development of the country’s agriculture. In this context, Mehmed Süreyya Özek’s formal education in entomology reinforced his expertise in this field and made him an important figure in the development of entomology in Turkey. His education abroad taught him the latest developments and methodologies in the field, which he then adapted to the unique ecological conditions of Turkey and brought them to the country.
In the efforts to protect plant health initiated since the first years of the Republic, in addition to the economic and technical possibilities of the country, the experience and technologies of other countries have been utilised. For this purpose, attention was paid to sending experts in their fields to international congresses and meetings. Participation in international meetings has provided a great advantage for the development of agriculture in Turkey. These meetings paved the way for bringing the latest technologies and utilisation from around the world to Turkey. Süreyya Özek stood out as a remarkable figure in this context. He took part in important organizations in the field of phytosanitary at national and international level, both as a statesman and as a researcher and academic. By representing Turkey on international platforms, Özek brought his knowledge and experience to provide added value to Turkish agriculture. Moreover, he took important roles, formed scientific committees and strengthened international friendships. Thanks to his efforts, the knowledge and experience provided by foreigners to Turkey has become a valuable resource for the next generation of scientists. He has also actively participated in international conferences and organisations, representing Turkey’s interests and ensuring that the voice of global phytosanitary policies is heard on behalf of his country. This involvement has enabled Turkey’s development in the international scientific community, as well as the publication of research and access to best practices. The fact that Süreyya Özek’s work is still felt in today’s Turkey and the modern plant protection system we have today shows that we owe a significant debt to his work.
Süreyya Özek was one of the leading figures in entomology in modern Turkey, leaving a lasting impact on both his academic work and the practical application of entomological research. He made significant contributions to Turkish agriculture through his teaching, groundbreaking research in entomology and statesmanship. In this process, he shaped not only science but also agricultural modernization and education policies. Özek’s legacy extends beyond his academic achievements. The scientific tradition he established has been not only a source of knowledge but also a great source of inspiration for his students. He was not only a scientist and ‘teacher of teachers’, but also shaped his students’ vision of entomology and Turkish agriculture, and reinforced their passion for the field. By encouraging critical thinking and practical problem solving skills, he provided students with the in-depth knowledge and equipment needed to deal with entomological problems. This holistic approach has taken the education and training process not only to a theoretical but also to a practical level and has inspired the successful careers of many of his students. Many of these students have gone on to occupy important positions in Turkish agriculture and academia.
Süreyya Özek played an important role in the efforts of Turkish governments to participate in joint work between countries through various international organisations and in entomological control efforts against agricultural disasters, both during and after his tenure as Undersecretary of the Ministry of Agriculture. Thanks to Turkey’s dedication in the struggle at home and abroad, it was observed that locust infestations were not effective domestically from 1935 to 1938. However, between 1935 and 1938, there were small-scale locust infestations, although they did not have a significant impact in terms of damage. While the governments took the necessary measures at home against these infestations, experts were brought from abroad and the steps to be taken in the future were determined in line with the examination reports prepared by these experts. In addition, by participating in conferences abroad, the road map to be followed in joint efforts for the control of pests and diseases at the international level was determined and the methods and methods developed in the struggle were closely followed.
Süreyya Özek’s lifelong accumulation of knowledge and the institutional structures he laid the foundations for have created a solid infrastructure for future research. By building bridges between academic research and practical applications, he made entomology recognised as a science and contributed greatly to the developments in this field. Özek’s legacy has been kept alive by the Turkish agriculturalists who have taken over from him, and these researchers have continued to inspire scientists across the country, encouraging innovative research and providing solutions to contemporary agricultural problems. Recent research, especially on environmentally friendly strategies against pests, has built on the foundations of Özek’s earlier work.
