Nubar Pasha, the first Prime Minister of Egypt

The first Prime Minister of Egypt was an Armenian, Nubar Nubarian, or Nubar Pasha. Educated in Europe and considered exceptionally intelligent, this statesman played an important role in laying the foundations of the modern Egyptian state. Although the British supported him, he tried many times to defend Egypt’s independence. Britain was unwilling to loosen its control over the country, and a disappointed Nubar Pasha resigned as Prime Minister. A few years later, in 1899, he died in Paris.

Nubar Pasha spent 50 years in the Egyptian state service, worked with Muhammad Ali and had dealings with Napoleon III.

In the portrait he wears a fez, a moustache, a dark jacket and a bow tie.