Mohammed Naguib was a pivotal figure in Egyptian history, particularly during the nation's transition from monarchy to republic. Born on February 20, 1901, in Khartoum, Sudan (then part of Egypt), to an Egyptian army officer and a Sudanese mother, Naguib grew up in a military environment, which influenced his later career in the armed forces. He pursued military education at the Egyptian Military Academy, eventually becoming an officer in the Egyptian army. His reputation for competence and dedication helped him rise through the ranks, leading him to play a critical role in Egypt's political transformation.

Naguib became widely known after the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, in which Egypt's military performance was seen as ineffective. This disappointment spurred a group of military officers, led by the Free Officers Movement, to plot the overthrow of King Farouk I. Mohammed Naguib, respected within the army and a senior officer, was chosen as the figurehead leader of this movement because of his credibility and popular appeal. The coup was successfully executed on July 23, 1952, resulting in the abdication of King Farouk.

Following the coup, Naguib became the first President of Egypt in 1953 when the monarchy was formally abolished and Egypt was declared a republic. His presidency, however, was marked by a struggle for power between him and the younger members of the Free Officers Movement, particularly Gamal Abdel Nasser, who was the de facto leader of the revolution. Naguib favored a return to civilian rule and democratic governance, whereas Nasser and his allies aimed for a more centralized and authoritarian state, influenced by socialism and pan-Arabism.

This power struggle culminated in Naguib’s forced resignation in 1954, after which he was placed under house arrest for many years. Nasser became the dominant figure in Egyptian politics, steering the country towards a more aggressive stance in the region and significant internal reforms. Naguib remained in relative obscurity until his release in 1972, although his role in Egypt's modern history has been acknowledged by historians. He lived quietly until his death on August 28, 1984, in Cairo.

Naguib's contributions are often overshadowed by Nasser's later dominance, but his role in the revolution and his brief tenure as the first President of Egypt remain significant in the nation's history.

REFERENCE:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammed_Naguib