Behçet Necatigil


Behçet Necatigil was a leading Turkish author, poet and translator.

Biography

Behçet was born in Istanbul, Ottoman Empire, in 1916. He graduated from the Teachers' High School in Istanbul in 1940, and served as a teacher of literature at Kabatas Erkek Lisesi until the year 1972. His first poem was published in "Varlık" journal during his high school years in 1935. From then on, he continued to write poetry for over 40 years. Behçet is also well known for his radio dramas.

Necatigil Poetry Award

To commemorate his life, an annual poetry award was instituted in 1980. It was given on the date of Necatigil's death until 1993 but is now given at the date of his birth, which is 16 April.