Origins & Early Life

Lij Iyasu (Ge'ez: ልጅ ኢያሱ; 4 February 1895 – 25 November 1935) also known as Iyasu V was the designated Emperor of Ethiopia from 1913 to 1916. His baptismal name was Kifle Yaqob (ክፍለ ያዕቆብ kəflä y’aqob). Ethiopian emperors traditionally chose their regnal name on the day they were crowned, and since he was never crowned, he is usually referred to as Lij Iyasu, "Lij" meaning child, especially one born of royal blood. Lij Iyasu was born on 4 February 1895 in the city of Dessie, in the Wollo province of Ethiopia.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Iyasu’s father was Negus Mikael of Wollo who was of Mammedoch Oromo descent, his mother Woizero ("Lady") Shoaregga, was a Shewan Amhara and the eldest daughter of Emperor Menelik II. Iyasu's father was Ras Mikael, Governor of Wollo and longstanding friend of Menelik. Mikael had been born Mohammed Ali and was a Muslim until 1875, when he converted to Christianity by order of Yohannes IV in Boru meda council in order to stay in power. On some accounts of his genealogy, a sharifian genealogy preserved in Vatican Arabic Manuscript 1796 acquired in Harar by Enrico Cerulli indicates Iyasu's paternal family claimed descent from Prophet Muhammad. According...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Anna Freud — Contemporary (Born in 1895) (1895): Pioneering psychoanalyst known for child psychology and ego theory.
• Arthur Cayley — Contemporary (Died in 1895) (1895): Pioneering English mathematician, instrumental in founding modern algebra and group theory.
• B. H. Liddell Hart — Contemporary (Born in 1895) (1895): Influential British military theorist advocating the 'indirect approach' in warfare.
• 14th Dalai Lama — Contemporary (Born in 1935) (1935): Spiritual leader of Tibet and head of Tibetan Buddhism since 1940.
• Abraham Isaac Kook — Contemporary (Died in 1935) (1935): Pioneering Orthodox Rabbi and Father of Religious Zionism.
• Adnan Khashoggi — Contemporary (Born in 1935) (1935): Saudi businessman and arms dealer, known as 'The Great Gatsby of the Middle East'
• Al-Dhahabi — Shared historical date (02-04 · Died) (1348): Pioneering Syrian Sunni historian, biographer, and hadith scholar.
• Alexia Putellas — Shared historical date (02-04 · Born) (1994): One of the greatest female footballers, known for her midfield brilliance and success with Barcelona and Spain.
• Abbé Prévost — Shared historical date (11-25 · Died) (1763): French novelist, best known for the highly popular romance, Manon Lescaut.
• Andrea Doria — Shared historical date (11-25 · Died) (1560): Prominent Genoese statesman, condottiero, and admiral who dominated Mediterranean naval power.
• 1895 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1895
• February 4 (02-04) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on February 4
• 1935 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1935
• November 25 (11-25) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on November 25