Mohammed Ben Ali Abgali facts for kids
Mohammed Ben Ali Abgali was an important person from Morocco. He worked as an ambassador, which is like a special representative, for his country in Great Britain. He was there from August 14, 1725, until February 1727.
He also became a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1727. This is a group of very smart people who study science. He even wrote letters to another famous person named Martin Folkes.
Abgali's Journey and Role as an Ambassador
In the 1720s, Mohammed Ben Ali Abgali served as the last ambassador from Ismail Ibn Sharif, who was the ruler of Morocco at that time, to England. An ambassador is a diplomat who officially represents their country in another country. Abgali traveled all the way to London to meet with King George I of England.
Experiencing London's Culture
While he was in England, Abgali got to see many interesting things. He went to different art events, like a play by a writer named Nicholas Rowe. He also saw performances of Commedia dell'arte. This was a fun type of theater that started in Italy and was very popular across Europe a long time ago.
Abgali's visit allowed him to meet important people and experience the exciting culture and art in London.
The Famous Portrait
An English artist named Enoch Seeman painted a special picture of Mohammed Ben Ali Abgali. This painting shows Abgali wearing traditional Moroccan clothes. It is still kept safe in England today. This artwork is very valuable and has been shown many times in the United Kingdom. It is believed that there are actually two versions of this painting.
Mohammed Ben Ali Abgali returned to his home country, Morocco, on February 14, 1727.