Fuad Pasha

Fuad Pasha, MEHMED, a Turkish statesman and littérateur, was born at Constantinople, 17th January 1814. He was the son of the celebrated poet, Izzet-Mollah, and had already begun to make himself known as an author, when the exile of his father, who had fallen into disgrace with the Sultan Mahmud, compelled him to choose a profession. He studied medicine, and for some years was Admiralty physician, but in 1835 abruptly forsook medicine, and employed himself in the study of diplomacy, history, modern languages, the rights of nations, and political economy. In 1840 he became first secretary to the Turkish embassy at London, and in 1843 was at Madrid. It was almost impossible to believe him to be a Turk, he spoke French so marvellously well. On his return to Constantinople he was appointed to discharge the functions of grand interpreter to the Porte, and in 1852 became minister of foreign affairs. On the question of the 'Holy Places,' Fuad Pasha, by his attitude, and by a brochure very hostile to the pretensions of Russia, gave great dissatisfaction to the czar. In 1855 he received the title of Pasha, and was again appointed minister of foreign affairs. From 1861 to 1866 he held the office of Grand Vizier. He died in 1869. To him especially it is said Turkey owes the hatti-sherif of 1856. See TURKEY.