Mihail Kogălniceanu

Mihail Kogălniceanu (1817–1891) was a Romanian liberal politician, historian, lawyer, and publicist who played a key role in the major reforms of the Romanian state. He served as Romania's Prime Minister (1863–1865), working closely with Alexandru Ioan Cuza on the Union of the Principalities and implementing reforms, including the secularization of monastery estates and land reform. He also contributed to the abolition of Roma slavery, advocated for unionist ideas, and was an ideologist of the 1848 Revolution.

As editor of the Dacia Literară magazine and a professor at the Mihăilean Academy, Kogălniceanu was active in cultural and political spheres. After the 1848 Revolution, he promoted autonomy, civil rights, and unification with Wallachia. He played a significant role in foreign affairs as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and represented Romania at the Congress of Berlin, where he defended the country's independence.

Kogălniceanu founded the National Liberal Party, served as President of the Romanian Academy, and acted as a diplomatic representative of Romania in France. Culturally, he published historical documents and promoted archaeological discoveries. His legacy stands as a symbol of modernization and moderate nationalism in 19th-century Romania.