Rushdi Husayn

Rushdi Husayn or Hussein Rushdy Pasha Born in 1863, Rushdi Husayn or Hussein Rushdy Pasha, lived an eventful life contributing to many different political, cultural and economic advances in Egypt. He was born in Cairo, the capital of Egypt. He was of Turkish descent with the family name of Topuz-zadeh Goldschmidt, A. (1999). Biographical Dictionary of Modern Egypt Pg.169,170 . Rushdi Husayn or Hussein Rushdy Pasha’s name written differently in different sources due to translation issues. He is referred to as both names, but the full name written on his tombstone is Hussein Rushdy Topzadeh Pasha. Before his death he married twice. Eugénie Le Brun was his first wife. She was a French writer and early feminist activist. After the end of his first marriage, he married a sister-in-law of Sharif Husayn of the Hijaz (Goldschmidt, A. (1999). Biographical Dictionary of Modern Egypt Pg.169,170.) This woman's name was Iglal Hanem CEMETERY OF PRIME MINISTER HUSSEIN RUSHDY TOPUZADEH PASHA. (n.d.). Retrieved October 22, 2020, from http://egy-plus.com/cemeteries/page10.php . 
Before he could hold the positions and power that he did, he studied law in several places including Geneva and Paris. Taking the newly found knowledge that he obtained, he moved back to Cairo. He obtained degrees in law and moral and political science and then joined the Ministry of Finance and began working in the government (http://egy-plus.com/cemeteries/page10.php). 
Also granted the title of education inspector, he played a major role in improving the education system and making it more accessible University, C. (2017). Foundation of Cairo University. Retrieved September 28, 2020, from https://cu.edu.eg/page.php?pg=contentFront/SubSectionData.php&SubSectionId=232 . In addition to this, he was also a Lawyer, cabinet minister, and four-time premier (Goldschmidt, A. (1999). Biographical Dictionary of Modern Egypt). After his short time working in the government, he was promoted to the Ministry of Public instruction and held this new position for 6 years. He also served as a judge then the director general of the Wakis administration until his final position as prime minister of Egypt from 1914-1919 CEMETERY OF PRIME MINISTER HUSSEIN RUSHDY TOPUZADEH PASHA. (n.d.). Retrieved October 22, 2020, from http://egy-plus.com/cemeteries/page10.php
Hussein Rushdy Pasha paid particular interest to education and finding ways to improve the system for not only students but for the teachers working within the schools. According to the University of Cairo’s website, Hussein Rushdy Pasha’s educational reforms began immediately once he gained power and this included the process of taking the king's idea of establishing a university to the University Administration Council, which ended up giving all control to the Public Education Ministry. This final decision was one also signed off by Hussein (University, C. (2017). Foundation of Cairo University). This is how he was able to reinvent the preexisting system and make it better by creating more opportunities for everyone, including future generations and creating schools and universities that still stand today. With the Ministry of Education's budget increased 790% in 1918, Hussein and his ministry were able to make teachers government employees and pay teachers monthly salaries, eventually creating seven different specialized departments within Cairo University (University, C. (2017). Foundation of Cairo University). 
In addition to his political influence and power, Hussein Rushdy Pasha and his ministry, worked strategically throughout World War One for the benefit of Egypt. Due to the circumstances that allowed Great Britain to possess power over the territory, they supported them throughout the war in efforts to sway Britain into allowing Egypt to become an independent state. These efforts included becoming readily available to serve the military needs of Britain, developing improved means of transportation for their army and covering nearly all of the expenses of the British army and their allies (University, C. (2017). Foundation of Cairo University). The goal was to prove loyalty, and in a way, bribe them into becoming a free state. This was a much longer and more complicated process, but they ultimately became independent as of February 22 1922, after a revolution. Aside from this, he played a major role in kick starting industry and commerce in preparation for what would be their newly found independent status. With Hussein Rushdy Pasha as the prime minister they began working on plans and policies for the future to ensure their success as independents. The name of the team in which he created in order to do this was known as the Committee of Commerce and Industry (https://cu.edu.eg/page.php?pg=contentFront/SubSectionData.php&SubSectionId=232)
Category:Egyptian culture
Category:Politics of Egypt
Category:Cultural history of Egypt