Ion Ghica was born on August 12, 1816 in Bucharest, Romania, being a member of the famous Ghica family. He is a prominent Romanian personality of the XIX century, writer, academician, diplomat, mathematician, politician and teacher. He was also Romania’s prime-minister twice (1866-1867 and 1870-1871) and four times president of Romanian Academy (1876-1882, 1884-1887, 1890-1893, 1894-1895).

Biography and Career :

He received his education in Bucharest and in Western Europe. He studied Mathematics and Engineering in Paris between 1837 and 1840.

Ghica returned to Moldova where he took part in the 1848 conspiracy who desired the union of Tara R omaneasca with Moldova and that it would be ruled by a local prince - Mihail Sturdza. The conspiracy failed and he became a Mathematics lector at the university founded by Sturdza in Iasi.

After that, in the name of the revolution government, he moved to Bucharest and then to Constantinople in order to negotiate with the Turkish authorities. While he was there he was named Bey of Samos (1853-1859). Here he managed to eradicate piracy that was very evolved in that place.

In 1859, after the union of Moldova with Tara Romaneasca, he was called back by Alexandru Ioan Cuza and he becomes prime-minister when Cuza ruled and once again when Carol I led the country. His restless nature will make him take part in the anti-dynasty movement.

In 1881 he was named Romanian minister in London and he will have this job until he dies in 1889 in Ghergani.

Besides his political fame, he is also known for his "Letters" with Romanian famous writer - Vasile Alecsandri, his very good friend. He was the author of "Exile memories" (1848) and "Economic Discussions". He was the first man who pleaded for a national trade and industry.

Important Works :

- Amintiri din pribegie ("Recollections from Exile")
- Convorbiri Economice ("Conversations on Economy")
- Scrisori catre Vasile Alecsandri ("Letters to Vasile Alecsandri")

Quotes :

- "Ion Ghica is an extraordinary writer strongly related to Caragiale, if we analyze their spirit and stile." - Alexandru Paleologu

Trivia :

- Ghica was awarded the honorary title of "Prince of Samos" by Sultan Abd-ul-Mejid I in 1856.
- He was the first to advocate the favoring of local initiatives over foreign investments in industry and commerce.
_{Ion Ghica Image : ro.wikipedia.org}

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Category: Writers  - ( Writers Archive)

Date Added: 22 October '06

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