Çelik Gülersoy (September 23, 1930 in Hakkâri – July 6, 2003 in Istanbul) was a Turkish lawyer, historical preservationist, writer and poet. He is best remembered for the heritage conservation works he carried out on historical sites during his long-time tenure as director general of the Touring and Automobile Club of Turkey (TTOK).
He was born in Hakkâri, Turkey's most southeasterly city, where his father was working as a gendarmerie officer but the family moved to Istanbul in 1933. After completing his education in Istanbul, Gülersoy attended Istanbul University and graduated from its Law School. Following his military service in 1959–1960, he started work as a legal consultant to the TTOK in 1961, having already held several posts there since 1947.[1]
In 1966, Gülersoy became director general of the TTOK, a position he held for 38 years until his death. During this time he reorganised the TTOK to bring in new and much-needed services. He published numerous books on historic sites, mainly in Istanbul, and contributed greatly to the redevelopment of such touristically important areas as Söğükçeşme Sokağı in Sultanahmet and the historic parks such as Emirgan and Yıldız.[1]
Çelik Gülersoy died of pancreatic cancer on July 6, 2003 during a classical music concert at the Fabiato Köşkü (Mansion) on Büyükada.[2] He was buried next to his mother's grave in Demirciköy Cemetery in Sarıyer following a funeral service in Teşvikiye Mosque.[3] He left all his assets to the Çelik Gülersoy Foundation which still operates a library on Söğükçeşme Sokağı, behind Ayasofya.[2][4]
The Çerâğân Palaces, TTOK Yayınları, Istanbul (1992) 208 pp, ISBN978-975-7687-08-5 (English)
The Khedives and The Çubuklu Summer Palace: Çubuklu Kasrı, TTOK Yayınları, Istanbul (1993) 236 pp, ISBN9757641197 (English)
Tepebaşı: Bir Meydan Savaşı, TTOK Yayınları, Istanbul (1993)
Ayrılış (Şiirler), TTOK Yayınları, Istanbul (1996) 34 pp, ISBN9757512192
Büyük Çamlıca Tepesi 1908-1995, TTOK Yayınları, Istanbul (1996) 33 pp
Safranbolu, TTOK Yayınları, Istanbul (1997) ISBN9757641286 (also in English)
Büyükada Dün/Yesterday, TTOK Yayınları, Istanbul (1997) 110 pp, ISBN9757512206 (also in English)
Hüzün Yağmuru (Şiirler), TTOK Yayınları, Istanbul (1997) 32 pp, ISBN9757512214
Fenerbahçe'si, TTOK Yayınları, Istanbul (1998) 62 pp
Yeşil Ev. Bir Yuva, TTOK Yayınları, Istanbul (1999) 71 pp, ISBN9757641294
Yeşil Ev. A Home, TTOK Yayınları, Istanbul (1999) 71 pp, ISBN9757641294 (English)
Cumhuriyet'in Devraldığı İstanbul'dan Bugüne: Istanbul, from the birth of the Republic to the present day, the metamorphosis of a legacy, Sınai Kalkınma Bankası, Istanbul (1999)
Beyoğlu'nun Yitip Gitmiş 3 Oteli, TTOK Yayınları, Istanbul (1999)
Çankaya 57, TTOK Yayınları, Istanbul (2001) 32 pp, ISBN9757512249
Büyükada Yetimhanesi, TTOK Yayınları, Istanbul (2001) 36 pp, ISBN9757512257
A. Şinasi Hisar, TTOK Yayınları, Istanbul (2001) 34 pp, ISBN9757512273
Soğukçeşme Sokağı, TTOK Yayınları, Istanbul (2001) 80 pp, ISBN9757512281
Atatürk Atatürk, TTOK Yayınları, Istanbul (2001) 76 pp, ISBN9757512303
Soğukçeşme Street, TTOK Yayınları, Istanbul (2002) 80 pp, ISBN9757641375.
Atatürk Albümü, TTOK Yayınları, Istanbul (2002) 40 pp, ISBN9757641405
Beyoğlu'nda Gezerken, TTOK Yayınları, Istanbul (2003) 175 pp, ISBN9757512281
Bir Masal, TTOK Yayınları, Istanbul (2003) 40 pp, ISBN9757512338
Pierre Loti ve Dersaadet, TTOK Yayınları, Istanbul (2003) 19 pp
Pierre Loti et Son İstanbul, TTOK Yayınları, Istanbul (2003) 19 pp (French)[9]
Kariye (Chora), Turing (also in English, French, German and Italian)
Çelik Gülersoy Albümü, İstanbul Kitaplığı
Beşiktaş Daha Dün, İstanbul Kitaplığı
Bâb-ı Âli, with M. Nermi Haskan, İstanbul Kitaplığı
Dolmabahçe Sarayı (English), İstanbul Kitaplığı
Esentepe'ye Veda, İstanbul Kitaplığı
İstanbul Rehberi (French), İstanbul Kitaplığı
Hükümet Kapısı Bab-ı Ali Kuruluşundan Cumhuriyete Kadar, with Mehmet Nermi Haskan, İstanbul Kitaplığı