Myrzagul Ataniyazov (1899-1945) was a state and public figure, one of the founders of the cultural and educational organization of Kazakh speaking youth - 'Zhas Tilke'.  

He was born in Aktobe district of Turgay region (now Aktobe region). He finished Russian-Kazakh school, Aktobe teaching seminary and attended training courses of the People's Committee of Justice.

In 1918-1920 he was the teacher of aul school; in 1920-1921 - the secretary, deputy chairman if the district executive committee of Aktobe city.

He took an active part in study of labor and living conditions of workers, carried out a political and educational work, paid a peculiar attention to the issues of illiteracy elimination, women emancipation, education of youth and staff training.

In 1921-1922 he was the deputy chairman, chairman of the Military Collegium in Aktobe, deputy head of Kirgiz regional committee. In 1922-1924 he studied in Moscow. In 1925-1927 he was the chairman of the Kazakh Department for Supreme Court. In 1927-1928 he was the chairman of Akmola governorate executive committee. In 1928-1929 he was the chairman of Semipalatinsk district executive committee.

He made a great contribution to the development of the state structure as well as legal institutions of Kazakhstan. During 1937-1938 he was the head for agricultural department of the Central Committee of Communist Party of Kazakhstan and at the same time was the editor for magazine "Aulny Communist".

In 1938 he was arrested and convicted for 15 years and sent to Arkhangelsk camp of GULAG. In 1943 he was released due to his disease. Two years later he died.

He was rehabilitated in October, 1957.

 

Source: Kazakhstan, National Encyclopedia, Volume 1.