An Egyptian prince and art collector, known for his extensive collection of Islamic art and his role in popularizing Egyptian art worldwide.
Hussein Kamel, the Sultan of Egypt from 1914 to 1917, is remembered for his tumultuous reign, marked by the British protectorate over Egypt and the eventual demise of the Ottoman sovereignty. During his tenure, Kamel navigated the complexities of colonial rule, all while attempting to assert Egypt's independence and sovereignty.
Hussein Kamel was born on November 21, 1853, as the second son of Khedive Ismail Pasha, who ruled Egypt from 1863 to 1879. Following the British occupation of Egypt, Kamel's nephew, Khedive Abbas Hilmi II, was deposed on November 5, 1914, paving the way for Kamel's ascension to the throne on December 19, 1914.
The creation of the Sultanate of Egypt, with Kamel at its helm, was touted as the reestablishment of the pre-Ottoman Egyptian sultanate. However, this was merely a façade, as the British exercised significant control over Egypt's political and military affairs. This arrangement effectively brought an end to the Ottoman Empire's nominal sovereignty over Egypt, which had been in place since 1517.
Upon Hussein Kamel's death on October 9, 1917, his son, Prince Kamal el Dine Hussein, declined the throne, citing the British occupation as the reason. This decision paved the way for Kamel's brother, Ahmed Fuad, to ascend to the throne as Fuad I.
Hussein Kamel was the founder and sovereign of several prestigious orders, including the Order of Muhammad Ali, the Order of Ismail, the Order of the Nile, and the Order of the Virtues. He also received international recognition, including the Ottoman Empire's Order of Osmanieh, the Ottoman Empire's Order of the Medjidie, and Austria-Hungary's Grand Cross of the Order of Franz Joseph.
Hussein Kamel's legacy extends beyond his tumultuous reign. His story has been immortalized in Naguib Mahfouz's novel, Palace Walk, where Prince Kamal el Dine Hussein is portrayed as a symbol of resistance against British occupation. Stereoscope photographs of Kamel's coronation and burial processions are preserved in the Rare Books and Special Collections Digital Library of the American University in Cairo, serving as a testament to his enduring legacy.
Hussein Kamel's reign coincided with a period of significant upheaval in Egypt's history. As the country navigated the complexities of colonial rule, Kamel's attempts to assert Egyptian sovereignty were constantly thwarted by British interference. Despite these challenges, Kamel's legacy serves as a reminder of Egypt's rich history and its ongoing struggle for independence.
Born in 1918
Led Egypt through a period of rapid modernization and nationalism, becoming a symbol of Arab unity and resistance to Western influence. He nationalized the Suez Canal and implemented socialist reforms.
98 Years Old
The authoritarian leader who ruled Egypt for nearly three decades, suppressing opposition and maintaining a tight grip on power, while also maintaining a delicate balance of power in the Middle East. He's infamous for his regime's human rights abuses and corruption.
Born in 1901
Led Egypt's 1952 revolution, becoming the country's first president and a symbol of Arab nationalism, known for his efforts to modernize and democratize Egypt.
75 Years Old
Egypt's first democratically elected president, who served from 2012 to 2013 and was a key figure in the Arab Spring uprising, known for his Islamist ideology and brief, tumultuous tenure.
