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Public records list Calouste Gulbenkian as a businessperson, entrepreneur and engineer. Calouste Gulbenkian was born in Üsküdar, Istanbul Province, Turkey on March 23, 1869. Death is recorded on July 20, 1955, at the age of 86. Schooling on record includes St. Joseph High School and King's College London. Awards on record include Grand Cross of the Military Order of Christ (1950).
My Take
Calouste Gulbenkian is one of those figures history under-tells. An Armenian businessman born in Istanbul, he brokered the early Middle Eastern oil deals and famously secured a five percent stake that earned him the nickname Mr. Five Percent. What I admire is the second act: he poured that fortune into art and a foundation that still shapes Portuguese cultural life today. Plenty of magnates accumulate; few convert wealth into a durable legacy of beauty and learning. The combination of ruthless commercial instinct and genuine aesthetic devotion makes him, to me, endlessly compelling.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Calouste Gulbenkian
- Name (Japanese)
- カルースト・グルベンキアン
- Reading
- かるーすと・ぐるべんきあん
- Born
- March 23, 1869 – July 20, 1955
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Aries / Snake
- Origin
- Üsküdar, Istanbul Province, Turkey
- Occupation
- businessperson / entrepreneur / engineer / diplomat / patron of the arts
2. Background
- High school
- St. Joseph High School
- University
- King's College London
Awards & achievements
- 1950 Grand Cross of the Military Order of Christ
3. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | La Transcaucasie et la péninsule d'Apchéron | — |
4. Links
5. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-20
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Calouste Gulbenkian born?
Born March 23, 1869.
When did Calouste Gulbenkian die?
Died July 20, 1955, aged 86.
Where was Calouste Gulbenkian from?
Calouste Gulbenkian was from Üsküdar, Istanbul Province, Turkey.
What did Calouste Gulbenkian do?
Calouste Gulbenkian worked as businessperson, entrepreneur, engineer, diplomat, patron of the arts.
What was Calouste Gulbenkian known for?
Notable works include La Transcaucasie et la péninsule d'Apchéron.
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