Muhammad Ali is also the name of the former 
slave who took over Egypt in 1805 and ruled 
it until 1848. btw, he was born a Christian 
in the Balkans: when the Turks ruled the 
Balkans, they periodically drafted boys from 
Christian families into the Janissaries.

See > 
http://www.bartleby.com/65/mu/MuhammdAl1.html

for info on Muhammad Ali and his career.

See > 
http://www.theottomans.org/english/campaigns_army/index_3.asp

for info on the Janissaries.


I don't recall exactly why Cassius Clay chose 
the name, Muhammad Ali, but it's likely he 
chose the one famous in Egypt. Muhammad Ali 
of Egypt was reknown for his military 
successes as well as for his reforms.

Elizabeth Whitaker
Alexandria, VA




jmduke wrote:
> Lyle
> 
> I heard years ago that Cassius Clay took the name Muhammad Ali not 
> knowing that it was the name of an infamous black African slave seller. 
> Whether this is true or not I don't know.
> 
> Maurice Duke

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