About
Ismail Qemali (1844-1919), born into a noble Albanian family, pursued a career in the Ottoman administration, holding various governorships. An advocate of liberal reforms, he was internally exiled and then fled to Europe in 1900, where he campaigned for Albanian autonomy. After the Young Turk Revolution, he returned and participated in Ottoman political life. On 28 November 1912, he proclaimed Albania's independence in Vlorë and became the first head of the provisional government. Forced to resign in 1914, he spent his final years in exile. His memoirs were published posthumously in 1920.
* 1844-01-16 — † 1919-01-24
Major works
- The Memoirs of Ismail Kemal Bey (1920)memoir
Key milestones
- 1900Fled the Ottoman Empire aboard the British ambassador's yacht and went into exile in Europe.
- 1912Proclaimed Albania's independence in Vlorë and became the first head of the provisional government.
- 1914Resigned under pressure from the International Control Commission and the Great Powers.
Themes
National independenceLiberal reformsDiplomacyExileOttoman legacy
Sources: id.loc.gov · catalog.princeton.edu