Mark Lambert Bristol

Mark Lambert Bristol (April 17, 1868 – May 13, 1939) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy.

Biography

He was born on April 17, 1868, in Glassboro, New Jersey. Bristol graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1887. During the Spanish–American War, he served aboard the battleship USS Texas and participated in the Battle of Santiago de Cuba. From 1901 to 1903, he served as aide to the Commander-in-Chief North Atlantic Fleet. He commanded the battleship USS Oklahoma during World War I.

He served as the United States' High Commissioner in Turkey (1919–1927). His correspondence and other documents he gathered are often cited during discussions on numerous events of that era, including Turkish-Armenian relations, where he played a significant role in his opposition to Armenian aspirations and American involvement in assuming a mandate in Armenia, These documents include writings such as this in reference to a Greek newspaper reporter, "Mrs. Danos was typical of the races in this part of the country. She is obsequious and cringing and says she wants the truth but she probably couldn't write the truth if she knew it." The collection includes several examples of such opinions. It is particularly rich in its coverage of Bristol's duties as commander of the U.S. Naval Detachment in Turkish Waters and concurrent service as United States high commissioner to Turkey after World War I. Topics from the period include racial and religious conflicts in the Near East; the Great fire of Smyrna; Allied activities in pursuit of special interests, mandates, and empire; the decline of the Ottoman Empire; and the rise of Mustafa Kemal and the Nationalist Movement that led to the founding of modern Turkey.

In 1927, Rear Admiral Bristol assumed command of the Asiatic Fleet. He helped found the American Hospital in Nişantaşı, İstanbul in 1920, as well as the annexed nursing school which is named after him to this day (Admiral Bristol Nursing School).

Bristol served as chairman of the General Board of the United States Navy from 1930 until 1932. He died on May 13, 1939. After his death, in 1945 he was honored by renaming the American Hospital in Turkey to Admiral Bristol American Hospital.

Namesakes

Two ships have been named USS Bristol in his honor.