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 fathers name was Ali Rıza Efendi. His father was customs official. His mothers name was Zübeyde Hanım. For his primary education, he went to the school of Şemsi 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 mothers 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 İdadisi ) in Manastir (Manastır). After successfuly completing his studies at the Manastir Military School, Mustafa Kemal went to İstanbul 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.