MUSTAFA KEMAL'S CHILDHOOD AND EDUCATION

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (1881- 1938) was the founder and the first
President of the Republic of Turkey. Mustafa Kemal was born in 1881 in
Salonika (Selanik). His father's name was Ali Riza Efendi. His father was
customs official.

His mother's name was Zübeyde Hanim. For his primary education, he
went to the school of Semsi Efendi in Salonika. But Mustafa lost his
father at an early age. He had to leave school. Mustafa and his mother
went to live with his uncle in the country. His mother brought him up.
Life continu ed like this for a time. Mustafa worked on the farm but his
mother began to worry about his lack of schooling. It was finally decided
that he should live with his mother's sister in Salonika. 

He entered the Military Middle School in Salonika. In 1895, after
finishing the Military Middle School, Mustafa Kemal entered the Military
High School (Askeri Idadisi ) in Manastir (Manastir). 

After successfuly completing his studies at the Manastir Military
School, Mustafa Kemal went to Istanbul and on the 13th of March 1899 he
entered the infantry class of the Military Academy. (Harbiye Harp Okulu)
After finishing the Military Academy, Mu stafa Kemal went on to the
General Staff College in 1902. He graduated from the Academy with the rank
of captain on the 11th of January, 1905.