Ransford Dodsworth Bucknam

Ransford Dodsworth Bucknam
Bucknam circa 1910
Born(1869-06-07)June 7, 1869
Halls Harbour, Nova Scotia
DiedMay 27, 1915(1915-05-27) (aged 45)
Istanbul
Other namesPasha Bucknam

Ransford Dodsworth Bucknam (June 7, 1869 – May 27, 1915) was a Nova Scotian who became a Pasha, an admiral in the Turkish navy and vice-admiral to the Ottoman Empire. Bucknam was decorated with the Star of the Order of Osmanieh, the distinguished Service Medal, and other medals.[1]

Biography

Bucknam was born in Halls Harbour, Nova Scotia, on June 7, 1869, to Isabella Roscoe and Ezra Taylor Bucknam.[1]

He lived there until his parents both died when he was eight. He then moved with his paternal grandparents to Eatonville, Nova Scotia. He moved to the United States and married Rose Thayer on January 2, 1904, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

He joined the Turkish Navy in 1905. He most notably blockaded Tripolitania to Italian soldiers during the Italo-Turkish War. He retired from Turkish service when he was asked to renounce his United States citizenship in 1911.[1]

He then became involved in the oil business.[1]

He died from heart failure in Istanbul on May 27, 1915, after several weeks of severe illness.

Memberships

He was a member of the following organizations:[1]

Legacy

He is the namesake of Bucknam Park, Halls Harbour, Nova Scotia

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Bucknam Pasha, Ex-Admiral, Dead. American Who Served Former Sultan And Reorganized Turkish Navy. Began Life As Cabin Boy. Served Seven Years As Adviser To Abdul Hamid, And Then Became An Oil Magnate". New York Times. May 30, 1915.

Further reading