A pragmatic modernist,[1] he served in various ministerial posts and finally as the Prime Minister of Turkey between 1946 and 1947.

Born in Istanbul on 5 February 1889, his father was named Mustafa and was of Lezgi descent,[2] migrated to Anatolia from the Dagestan region of the Caucasus.

He was appointed secretary general of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey on 23 April 1920, the day the parliament was opened.

He was elected the parliamentary group spokesman and secretary general of the Republican People's Party (CHP) in 1928.

Recep Peker died on 2 April 1950, and was laid to rest at the Edirnekapı Martyr's Cemetery in Istanbul.