Cromer's Papers of Khedive Ismail

Author's name: Evelyn Baring

The first part of a project undertaken by Lord Cromer to document the historical events he experienced in Egypt and Sudan from 1876 to 1915. It does not present the usual narrative of Egyptian history, but rather offers documents and secrets from the archives of the Foreign Office in both London and Cairo, which he was able to access thanks to his close contact with everyone who played an important role in Egyptian affairs.

In this part, Lord Cromer reveals the secrets of the rule of Ismail Pasha, who is considered one of the most important rulers of Egypt who had the upper hand in changing the course of its history. He explains in detail and with figures how his administration of the country caused it to be plunged into debt and corruption, which led to the disruption of economic conditions and paved the way for foreign intervention in Egypt.

Evelyn Baring, known in the Middle East as Lord Cromer, was the first Earl of Cromer, a town in the English countryside. Born in 1841 and died in 1917, he served as British Consul General in Egypt in 1879. He was among the international observers who monitored Egypt's financial situation in the late reign of Khedive Ismail in 1876, and later returned to Egypt as British Political Agent from 1883 to 1907. Baring played a significant role in shaping Egyptian political life for over three decades, witnessing the reigns of three of the most prominent rulers of the Muhammad Ali dynasty.