Angelo Soliman (born Mmadi Make c. 1721, probably in present-day northeastern Nigeria/northern Cameroon; he died on November 21, 1796, in Vienna). Taken to Europe as a slave, he was freed and achieved prominence in Viennese society and Freemasonry. Angelo Soliman probably belonged to the Kanuri ethnic group.[1][2] His original name, Mmadi Make,[3] is linked to a princely class in the Sokoto State in modern Nigeria. He was taken captive as a child and arrived in Marseilles as a slave, eventually transferring to the household of a marchioness in Messina who oversaw his education. Out of affection for another servant in the household, Angelina, he adopted the name Angelo and chose to celebrate September 11, his baptismal day, as his birthday. After repeated requests, he was given as a gift in 1734 to Prince Georg Christian, Fürst von Lobkowitz, the imperial governor of Sicily. He became the Princes valet and traveling companion, accompanying him on military campaigns throughout Europe and reportedly saving his life on one occasion, a pivotal event responsible for his social ascension. After the death of Prince Lobkowitz, Soliman was taken into the Vienna household of Joseph Wenzel I, Prince of Liechtenstein, eventually rising to chief servant. Later, he became royal tutor of the heir to the Prince, Aloys I. On February 6, 1768 he married Magdalena Christiani,the widow of Harrachschen, sister of the French general François Etienne de Kellermann (1770-1835), General of Napoleon Bonaparte, Duke of Valmy and Secretary of Anton Christiano.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angelo_Soliman
Posted on: Fri, 04 Apr 2014 08:59:56 +0000
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