Ömer Subhi Bey
Profile summary
Highlights
Ömer Subhi Bey, whose exact date of birth is not known but who must have been born in 1865 because he died at the age of 28, was the son of Müşir Edhem Paşa, acting president of the General Staff Department. His father Edhem Paşa served on the Plevna front during the Ottoman-Russian War of 1877-1878, and later became known with the title “Gazi” for his successes as commander-in-chief of the Ottoman army in the Ottoman-Greek War of 1897.
Trained as a staff officer, Ömer Subhi Bey rose to the rank of Erkân-ı Harbiye kaymakamı, equivalent to staff lieutenant colonel. Bursalı Mehmed Tahir described him as one of “the intelligent men of the army,” and despite his young age he attracted attention for his military and scholarly interests.
Despite his short life, Ömer Subhi Bey wrote several works. His book “Büyük Frederik” and his Bursa travel notes entitled “Hüdavendigâr Vilâyeti’nde Bir Hafta Seyahat” are known. This work on Bursa is noteworthy for presenting late 19th-century Bursa through the eyes of an Ottoman staff officer.
Ömer Subhi Bey died on 1 Jumada al-Akhir 1311 (10 December 1893), at only 28 years of age, and was buried in the Fatih Mosque Cemetery.
Epitaph
A Fatiha for the soul of Ömer Subhi Bey, one of the lieutenant colonels of the General Staff and son of Marshal Edhem Paşa, Acting Chief of the General Staff and one of the great marshals; he died at the age of 28. Sunday, 10 December 1893.
Fate cut down such a young man that those who knew his worth could rightly weep until the Day of Resurrection. Though young, the works he wrote were full of knowledge and of a level to astonish mature minds. The sultan appreciated his talent and intelligence and admitted him to his circle. That angel-faced man rose among the Staff officers and duly became a lieutenant colonel. With the pen of wisdom in one hand and zeal in the other, had life allowed, the world would have understood his value. Mahfi sighed in tears and pronounced the chronogram: Ömer Subhi Bey’s station became a garden of Paradise! 1893.
A Fatiha for his/her soul