Ismail Pasha

Ismail Pasha (1830-1895), khedive of Egypt, second son of Ibrahim Pasha, born in Cairo, and educated in Paris. He succeeded his uncle, Said Pasha, as viceroy of Egypt in 1863. Four years later the sultan of the Ottoman Empire granted him the title of khedive, with the right to pass the title to his son. Ismail thereupon embarked on an extensive program of public works and administrative and social reforms. He also zealously promoted the Suez Canal project. As a result of his financial policies, however, the government debt rose from £3 million in 1863 to £100 million in 1874. Eventually, as the financial situation of the government became worse, France and Britain assumed control of Egyptian finances. Ismail was compelled to abdicate in favor of his son Muhammad Tawfik Pasha in 1879 and subsequently lived in exile abroad. He died at his palace near Constantinople (present-day İstanbul).