past simple vs present perfect for dead people

Question

Which tense to use when mentioning someone who is dead, but the institution or country that he founded still exists, as in the sentences below:

Atatürk has founded Turkey.
  Atatürk founded Turkey.

devaga · Answer

I've been taught, that it is correct to use the past simple form in case it may no longer done again.

The author has written 5 books. (about a living person. We indicate he may write more)
The author wrote 5 books. (if the person is no longer alive)

In your example I would say one of the following:

Atatürk founded Turkey.
Turkey has been founded by Atatürk.

One Answer