Calouste Gulbenkian
Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian (/kæˈluːst ɡʊlˈbɛŋkiən/, Western Armenian: Գալուստ Կիւլպէնկեան; 23 March 1869 – 20 July 1955), nicknamed "Mr Five Per Cent", was a British-Armenian businessman and philanthropist. He played a major role in making the petroleum reserves of the Middle East available to Western development and is credited with being the first person to exploit Iraqi oil. Gulbenkian travelled extensively and lived in a number of cities including Istanbul, London, Paris, and Lisbon.
Calouste Gulbenkian GCC | |
|---|---|
Gulbenkian in the 1890s | |
| Born | Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian 23 March 1869 Scutari, Constantinople, Ottoman Empire (present-day Üsküdar, Istanbul, Turkey) |
| Died | 20 July 1955 (aged 86) Lisbon, Portugal |
| Resting place | St. Sarkis Armenian Church, London |
| Citizenship |
|
| Alma mater | King's College London |
| Occupation | Petroleum engineer |
| Years active | 1895–1955 |
| Organizations |
|
| Spouse |
Nevarte Essayan
(m. 1892; died 1952) |
| Children | 2, including Nubar Sarkis |
| Signature | |
Throughout his life, Gulbenkian was involved with many philanthropic activities including the establishment of schools, hospitals, and churches. The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, a private foundation based in Portugal, was created in 1956 by his bequest and continues to promote arts, charity, education, and science throughout the world. It is now among the largest foundations in Europe. By the end of his life he had become one of the world's wealthiest people and his art acquisitions one of the greatest private collections.