History of İlber Ortaylı in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 13, 2026

İlber Ortaylı is a prominent Turkish historian and professor, known for his expertise in Crimean Tatar history. He has held professorships at several prestigious universities, including MEF University, Galatasaray University, and Bilkent University. Ortaylı served as the director of the Topkapı Museum in Istanbul from 2005 to 2012, contributing significantly to the preservation and interpretation of Turkish history and culture.

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Full Timeline

May 1947: İlber Ortaylı's birth in refugee camp

In May 1947, İlber Ortaylı was born in a refugee camp in Bregenz, Austria, as his parents, Crimean Tatars, fled to avoid Joseph Stalin's persecution.

1947: Birth of İlber Ortaylı

In 1947, İlber Ortaylı, a Turkish historian and professor of history of Crimean Tatar origin, was born.

1978: Doctoral Thesis

In 1978, İlber Ortaylı completed his doctoral thesis, "Local Administration in the Tanzimat Period".

1979: Appointed as Associate Professor

In 1979, İlber Ortaylı was appointed as associate professor at the School of Political Sciences of Ankara University.

1980: 1980 Turkish coup d'état

The 1980 Turkish coup d'état is mentioned as the reason İlber Ortaylı resigned from Ankara University in 1982 to protest the academic policy of the government established after the coup.

1982: Resignation from Ankara University

In 1982, İlber Ortaylı resigned from his position at Ankara University to protest the academic policy of the government established after the 1980 Turkish coup d'état.

1988: Work at Middle East Technical University

In 1988, İlber Ortaylı worked at Middle East Technical University before returning to Ankara University in 1989.

1989: Return to Ankara University

In 1989, after teaching at various universities, İlber Ortaylı returned to Ankara University and became a professor of history and the head of the department of administrative history.

2001: Aydın Doğan Foundation Award

In 2001, İlber Ortaylı received the Aydın Doğan Foundation Award in the field of history for his works, articles, books, efforts to popularize history, activities to make history beloved by Turkish people, scientific activities abroad, international role in Turkish historiography, and his book Osmanlı Tarihinde Aile (Family in Ottoman History).

2005: Appointment as Director of Topkapı Museum

In 2005, İlber Ortaylı was appointed as the director of the Topkapı Museum in Istanbul.

2006: Publication of Time Does not Disappear: Book of İlber Ortaylı

In 2006, İlber Ortaylı's biography "Time Does not Disappear: Book of İlber Ortaylı" (Turkish: Zaman Kaybolmaz: İlber Ortaylı Kitabı) was published, featuring conversations, anecdotes, and reflections on his life and history.

2007: Medal of Pushkin

In 2007, İlber Ortaylı received the Medal of Pushkin for his "great contribution to the spread and study of the Russian language, the preservation of cultural heritage and the rapprochement and mutual enrichment of different nations’ and people's cultures" under a decree signed by Vladimir Putin.