Menderes, Adnan, 1899-1961, Turkish prime minister (1950-60). In Jan., 1946, he formed the Democratic party, the first legal opposition party in Turkey. When the party came to power (1950), Menderes became prime minister, and in 1955 he also assumed the duties of foreign minister. In May, 1960, an army coup under General Cemal Gürsel toppled the government, and Menderes was arrested, charged with violating the constitution, and executed.

Menderes, name of several rivers in Turkey. The Büyük Menderes is the ancient Maeander; the Küçük Menderes is the ancient Scamander.

Küçük Menderes, river, Turkey: see Scamander.

Büyük Menderes, river, Turkey: see Maeander.

(born 1899, Aydinodotn, Ottoman Empire—died Sept. 17, 1961, Idotmralinodot, Tur.) Turkish prime minister (1950–60). Son of an aristocrat, he entered parliament as a member of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's Republican People's Party (1930). In 1945 he cofounded the first opposition party, the Democrat Party, and won the premiership in the 1950, 1954, and 1957 elections. His policies included seeking closer ties with Muslim states, encouraging private enterprise, and lifting restraint on religious expression. Intolerant of critics, he instituted press censorship. In challenging Atatürk's ideals, he earned the enmity of the army and was overthrown (1960) and executed.

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