Akhnoukh Fanous

Akhnoukh Fanous (1856–1946) was a prominent Egyptian political figure of the early twentieth century. Fanous is best known for founding the Egyptian Party in 1908, which consisted mainly of wealthy Copts "Egyptians of Christian faith". He also funded and organized the Coptic Conference in 1911, held in Assiut, which advocated Coptic rights. In 1901, Akhnoukh Fanous received an honorary PhD in Law from the American University of Beirut. He was also one of the founders of the Egyptian University in 1908. Akhnoukh Fanous is the father of the famous political activist Ester Fanous.