Hossein Ala'
Encyclopedia
Hosein Alā was a Prime Minister
of Iran
during 1951. He was born in 1882 in Tehran
and spent his early years in London
. He was educated at Westminster School
and studied law at the University of London
after which he was admitted to the bar at Inner Temple
. He became involved in politics through a position in the Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Iran.
In his early political life Ala served as the chef de cabinet of the Iranian foreign ministry from 1905 to 1916. Sunsequently he was the member of an iranian diplomatic delegation sent to the Paris Peace Conference of 1919. Despite the efforts of the delegation, led by Aliqoli Massoud Ansari, and assited ably by Ala, the British nixed Iran's hopes to officially attend the diplomatic gatherings. Moreover, with the Iranian Government in Tehran having recently negotiated the Anglo-Iranian Agreement it was decided that Ansari and Ala would be banished to foreign legations to ensure they would not act as lightning rods against the agreement. Ala was appointed as the Iranian diplomatic envoy to Spain in 1920. Shortly thereafter Ala was appointed as Iran's lead diplomat in Washington where he proved tireless in attempting to interest American oil companies to agree to invest in Iran to undercut the monopoly of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company.
He then became a Member of Parliament
and was among the opposition to the fall of the Qajar dynasty
during the Shah Pahlavi transition.
From 1934 to 1936, Alā was ambassador to the United Kingdom. Alā was Iranian Ambassador to the United States from 1946 to 1950.
His premiership, however, did not last long. During his administration, the term of service of Members of Parliament was increased from 2 to 4 years. He was later appointed as Court Minister, remaining one until his death in 1964 at the age of 82.
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
of Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
during 1951. He was born in 1882 in Tehran
Tehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
and spent his early years in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. He was educated at Westminster School
Westminster School
The Royal College of St. Peter in Westminster, almost always known as Westminster School, is one of Britain's leading independent schools, with the highest Oxford and Cambridge acceptance rate of any secondary school or college in Britain...
and studied law at the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
after which he was admitted to the bar at Inner Temple
Inner Temple
The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, commonly known as Inner Temple, is one of the four Inns of Court in London. To be called to the Bar and practise as a barrister in England and Wales, an individual must belong to one of these Inns...
. He became involved in politics through a position in the Foreign Affairs
Foreign Affairs
Foreign Affairs is an American magazine and website on international relations and U.S. foreign policy published since 1922 by the Council on Foreign Relations six times annually...
Ministry of Iran.
In his early political life Ala served as the chef de cabinet of the Iranian foreign ministry from 1905 to 1916. Sunsequently he was the member of an iranian diplomatic delegation sent to the Paris Peace Conference of 1919. Despite the efforts of the delegation, led by Aliqoli Massoud Ansari, and assited ably by Ala, the British nixed Iran's hopes to officially attend the diplomatic gatherings. Moreover, with the Iranian Government in Tehran having recently negotiated the Anglo-Iranian Agreement it was decided that Ansari and Ala would be banished to foreign legations to ensure they would not act as lightning rods against the agreement. Ala was appointed as the Iranian diplomatic envoy to Spain in 1920. Shortly thereafter Ala was appointed as Iran's lead diplomat in Washington where he proved tireless in attempting to interest American oil companies to agree to invest in Iran to undercut the monopoly of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company.
He then became a Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
and was among the opposition to the fall of the Qajar dynasty
Qajar dynasty
The Qajar dynasty was an Iranian royal family of Turkic descent who ruled Persia from 1785 to 1925....
during the Shah Pahlavi transition.
From 1934 to 1936, Alā was ambassador to the United Kingdom. Alā was Iranian Ambassador to the United States from 1946 to 1950.
His premiership, however, did not last long. During his administration, the term of service of Members of Parliament was increased from 2 to 4 years. He was later appointed as Court Minister, remaining one until his death in 1964 at the age of 82.
See also
- List of Iranian Ambassadors to the United States
- Pahlavi DynastyPahlavi dynastyThe Pahlavi dynasty consisted of two Iranian/Persian monarchs, father and son Reza Shah Pahlavi and Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi The Pahlavi dynasty consisted of two Iranian/Persian monarchs, father and son Reza Shah Pahlavi (reg. 1925–1941) and Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi The Pahlavi dynasty ...
- List of Prime Ministers of Iran
- Abdolhossein Teymourtash