Ismail Qemali
Ismail Qemali (Albanian: [ismail cɛmali] ⓘ; 16 January 1844 – 26 January 1919), sometimes spelled as Ismail Kemal in old diplomatic correspondence, was an Albanian politician and statesman who is regarded as the founder of modern Albania. He served as the first prime minister of Albania from December 1912 until his resignation in January 1914.
Babai KombitIsmail Qemali
Office established
Office established
- Abdulhamid II (r. 1876–1909)
- Mehmed V (r. 1909–1918)
16 January 1844
Vlorë, Ottoman Empire (modern-day Albania)
26 January 1919 (aged 75)
Perugia, Kingdom of Italy
Nasipe Hanami
Kleoniqi Surmeli
10 (1 died during birth)
Mahmud bey Vlora (father)
Hedije Libohova (mother)
Zosimaia School
Istanbul Law School
Politician
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Born in Vlorë to an Albanian noble family, Qemali developed an early interest in languages and mastered Ottoman Turkish, Greek, Italian and French in Ioannina and later studied law in Istanbul. He travelled across Europe, particularly Belgium, France, England and Italy, and returned to Albania after the Young Turk Revolution. He took part in the Congress of Ottoman Opposition. He played a major role in the Albanian revolt of 1912.
The principal author of the Declaration of Independence, Qemali was elected leader of the Provisional Government of Albania by the All-Albanian Congress in November 1912. He became prime minister and foreign minister of Albania. Qemali temporarily allied with the Ottoman Empire and jointly plotted to attack Serbia in return for gaining Kosovo from the Ottomans. However, their plan got leaked and International Control Commission occupied Vlora, which resulted in Qemali's resignation. Afterward, he lived in exile in Italy where he died in 1919. He is often called Babai Kombit ("Father of the Nation").
Exile and death[edit]
During the First World War (1914–1918), Qemali lived in exile in Paris, where, though short of funds, he maintained a wide range of contacts and collaborated with the correspondent of the continental edition of the British newspaper Daily Mail, Somerville Story, to write his memoirs. His autobiography, published after his death, is the only memoir of a late Ottoman statesman to be written in English and is a unique record of a liberal, multicultural approach to the problems of the dying empire. In 1918, Qemali travelled to Italy to promote support for his movement in Albania, but was prevented by the Italian government from leaving Italy and remained as its involuntary guest at a hotel in Perugia, much to his irritation. He died of an apparent heart attack on 26 January 1919. After his death, his body was brought to Vlorë and buried in the local tekke of the Bektashi Order.[81]
Reception and legacy[edit]
Ismail Qemali is commemorated in Albania as their Babai Kombit ("Father of the Nation"). He is depicted on the obverses of the Albanian 200 lekë banknote of 1992–1996,[82] and of the 500 lekë banknote issued since 1996.[83] On 27 June 2012, Albanian president Bamir Topi decorated Qemali with the Order of the National Flag (post-mortem).[84]