Djezzar

Djezzar (i.e. 'butcher'), the name given, on account of his cruelty, to Achmed Pasha, famous for his obstinate defence of Acre against Napoleon I. He was born in Bosnia about 1735, and rose, through murder and treason, from the condition of a slave to be pasha of Acre. In the beginning of 1799 the French entered Syria from Egypt, and advanced from victory to victory till they reached Acre, which was laid siege to on the 20th March. By advice of Sir Sidney Smith, Djezzar was induced to hold out; and such was the savage doggedness of his defence, that Bonaparte was obliged to retire on the 21st of May. He died at Acre in 1804.