Konstantin Stoilov (Bulgarian: Константин Стоилов) (23 September 1853 O.S. – 23 March 1901 O.S. ) was a leading Bulgarian politician and twice Prime Minister. Simeon Radev described him as the most European-like of all Bulgarian politicians.[1]

Konstantin Stoilov
Константин Стоилов
8th Prime Minister of Bulgaria
In office
10 July 1887 – 1 September 1887
MonarchFerdinand
Preceded byVasil Radoslavov
Succeeded byStefan Stambolov
In office
31 May 1894 – 30 January 1899
MonarchFerdinand
Succeeded byDimitar Grekov
Personal details
Born23 September 1853 O.S.
Plovdiv, Ottoman Empire
DiedMarch 23, 1901(1901-03-23) (aged 47)
Sofia, Bulgaria
Resting place42°42′48.0″N 023°20′00.5″E / 42.713333°N 23.333472°E / 42.713333; 23.333472
NationalityBulgarian
Political partyConservative Party (until 1894)
People's Party (1894–1901)
OccupationDoctor of Law
The home of Konstantin Stoilov in the Old town of Plovdiv

Born in Plovdiv, Stoilov studied at Robert College in Istanbul, before studying law at Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg to doctorate level.[1] Whilst in Germany he became a Freemason.[2]

A career politician with the Conservative Party, and later his own People's Party,[1] he held a number of government portfolios including Foreign Minister, Law Minister and Interior Affairs Minister, and Minister of Finance.[3] His first reign as Prime Minister lasted only for a brief spell in 1887. He returned in 1894 to preside over a longer ministry, which was characterized by increasing toleration for the activities of the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization[4] as well as fairer treatment of the Jews (as a lawyer, Stoilov had successfully defended the Jews of Vratsa from allegations of blood libel in 1890[5]). Stoilov's government faced a campaign of criticism from sections of the press as organised by his main political opponent Stefan Stambolov and as a consequence the Stoilov administration enacted legislation against Stambolov, notably sequestering his land for state use and abolishing the pensions paid to former government ministers.[6] The Stoilov-led coalition remained in office until 1899 when a series of liberal administrations began. He remained an important figure in Bulgarian politics until his death.

References edit

  1. ^ a b c Profile of Stoilov Archived 2009-02-12 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY IN BULGARIA (Part I - from the First references to 1941) Archived 2007-07-01 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ "Ministry of Finance :: Ministers". www.minfin.bg.
  4. ^ The Macedonian Issue
  5. ^ Saving the Bulgarian Jews in World War II Archived 2008-05-09 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ S.G. Evans, A Short History of Bulgaria, London, Lawrence and Wishart, 1960, p. 141

Further reading edit

 
The Grave of Konstantin Stoilov at Sofia Central Cemetery (42°42′48.0″N 023°20′00.5″E / 42.713333°N 23.333472°E / 42.713333; 23.333472)

External links edit

Political offices
Preceded by Prime Minister of Bulgaria
1887
Succeeded by
Preceded by Prime Minister of Bulgaria
1894–1899
Succeeded by