İngiliz Said Pasha

Biography

İngiliz Said Pasha (Ottoman Turkish: سعيد پاشا‎; 1830–1896), also known as Eğinli Said Pasha or Büyük Said Pasha was an Ottoman statesman and naval officer. He served as a naval minister and as Marshal of the Palace for Sultan Abdul Hamid II. Following the Ali Suavi incident, a failed coup attempt to reinstate the former sultan Murad V to the throne, he was suspected of involvement and fell from favor. This led to his dismissal and exile to provincial governships. Said Pasha served as the governor of several vilayets such as Ankara, Kastamonu, Konya and Aleppo.

Educated in Scotland, he was proficient in English and known for his pro-British stance in foreign policy, earning him the nickname "İngiliz" (the Englishman). He often acted as a mediator when the Sultan needed British aid or wanted to reduce English opposition. He was also referred to as Eğinli Said Pasha due to his ancestral ties to Eğin region and as Büyük Said Pasha (Said Pasha the Elder) to distinguish him from Grand Vizier Mehmed Said Pasha who is also known as Küçük Said Pasha (Said Pasha the Younger). During his lifetime, British newspapers welcomed his appointments. As an example, The British newspaper, The Guardian had described him as a proficient English speaker, well-educated and without any involvement in corruption.