Who they were
Gamal Abdel Nasser, born in Alexandria in 1918, was an army officer and the founder of the Free Officers, who overthrew the monarchy in 1952. He became prime minister in 1954 and president in 1956, holding the office until his death in 1970.
What they did
He nationalized the Suez Canal Company on 26 July 1956; though militarily defeated in the ensuing Suez Crisis, he emerged politically victorious when international pressure forced the invaders out, becoming a hero of Arab nationalism. His speeches were broadcast across the region, he led the union with Syria (the United Arab Republic, 1958–1961), and he co-founded the Non-Aligned Movement with Nehru and Tito. At home he built the Aswan High Dam with Soviet support and pursued land reform, industrialization, and social mobility programs — alongside a one-party state, a pervasive security apparatus, and the suppression of opposition, including the Muslim Brotherhood and communists. Defeat in the 1967 Six-Day War shattered his standing; he resigned, was reinstated after mass demonstrations, and pursued the war of attrition.
Legacy
He died of a heart attack in September 1970, and his funeral drew millions. Nasserism remained a lasting political current.