The New International Encyclopædia/Omer Pasha

OMER PASHA, ô′mẽr pȧ-shä′ (1806-71). A celebrated Turkish general, born of Christian parents at Plasky, an Austrian village in the former Croatian Military Frontier. Michael Latas (this was his real name) was educated at a military school, and joined a frontier regiment, but fled in 1828 to Bosnia, turned Mohammedan, and became tutor in the household of Hussein Pasha, Governor of Widdin. In 1834 he was made writing master in a military school at Constantinople, and instructor to Abd-ul-Medjid, heir apparent to the throne. Omer was made Governor of Lebanon in 1842, and successively repressed insurrections in Albania, Kurdistan, and Bosnia. In 1853 he defeated the Russians at Oltenitza, and in 1854 at Silistria, gaining possession of Bucharest. Later he repulsed the Russians at Eupatoria, in the Crimea, and set out to relieve Kars, but failed. He became Governor of Bagdad in 1857, but was dismissed in 1859 on account of maladministration. In 1862 he repressed the insurrection in Montenegro and took Cetinje. In 1864 he was made field-marshal, and in 1867 was sent to put down the rebellion in Crete. From 1869 he was Minister of War. As a commander Omer was noted especially for his excellent strategy.