An Introduction to Cherif Pacha

Cherif was born in Scutari Constantinople (Üsküdar, Istanbul) in 1865, The son of Said Pasha an Ottoman statesmen from Slemani. Cherif was educated by private tutors at an early age including the famous Muallim Naci who was his fathers private secretary, he went on to study at the Galatasaray High School. He then went to Paris to work at the Ottoman embassy and improve is French. He successfully gained entry to the Saint-Cyr and graduated in 1887. He was made Aide-de-camp to the Sultan and commissioned to the Ertuğrul Cavalry Regiment, then became Ottoman military attaché to Brussels and Paris.

Recalled to Constantinople by the Sultan in 1890 he settled down in the Ottoman capital and wed Princess Emine Halim. He remained there for a further eight years progressing his military rank, during his stay he came into conflict with a relative of the Sultan and was suspected of having contact with liberal elements, which led to him being sent away by the Sultan who placed him in a dignified exile as Ottoman Minister to Stockholm in 1898. Stockholm was selected as it was far from both Constantinople and Paris. However Cherif while in Stockholm built lasting relationships with the diplomatic community there and secretly established good relations with opposition elements to the Sultan.

In 1908 when the Sultan fell Cherif returned to Constantinople to work with the Committee of Union and Progress but came into conflict with them when their views clashed, having to flee to Paris his second exile began in 1909. While in Paris he established a political party and publications to oppose the CUP, he essentially became the leader of the Opposition in exile.

To be continued….