Albert Hawkins
Albert Hawkins (died 1869) was an American business man and member of the Templar Order.
Biography[edit | edit source]
Hawkins moved to Egypt some years prior to 1869, having left a trail of cheated investors across the American West, as well as at least three wives with children. Hawkins established himself as an expert in cotton production, Egypt's main source of wealth during the American Civil War, as well as claiming expertise in military and logistics from his service for the Confederate States. He would eventually convince Khedive Ismail Pasha to allow him to complete a railway from Alexandria to an uninhabited spot midway down the canal using forced labor, which the Khedive had been attempting to end.[1]
In 1869, the Egyptian Brotherhood of Assassins intercepted a telegram that suggested that Hawkins would attempt to conduct business with Empress Eugenie of France during the inauguration of the Khedivial Opera House. The Assassins also sent him their own telegram, purporting to be from a dealer of enslaved Sudanese people and requesting a meeting before the Empress arrived.[1]
During the night's festivities, and taking advantage of a distracted Khedive, Hawkins went to the royal opera box and planted his silver cane under the seat, having used dynamite and a clockwork mechanism to rig it to explode some time later. When he entered the opera box meant for the Khedive's wives, seeking a discreet exit from the opera house, he was surprised by Assassin Pierrette Arnaud, who struck him in the throat with her Hidden Blade, killing him. She hid him behind the thick curtains that adorned the room, retrieved the explosive cane and left.[1]
In the early hours of the following day, Pierrette returned, accompanied by Safiya El-Nadi and Gamal Sabry, to dispose of Hawkins' body before the cleaners could arrive at the opera box.[2]
Personality and traits[edit | edit source]
Hawkins was described as being in his thirties, with "dark curls tamed with pomade above a boyish face". In the inauguration of the opera house, he wore a suit that fit poorly, looking "as though he had dressed up as a rich man for a costume party".[1]
Appearances[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]