Nicolae Ghika-Comănești, Landowner, Explorer, Deputy, Banker and the Minister of Public Works (1875–1921)

Abstract

Nicolae Ghika-Comănești accompanied his father, Dimitrie, on the scientific expedition in Somalia (1895–1896), then he went alone to North Africa in 1899 (between Morocco and the Sahara), to the USA and Canada (1910–1911). He was elected to the leadership of the societies for the protection and rational exploitation of forests (since 1910). His uncle, Eugen, was elected to Parliament from 1869 to 1912, his father – from 1872 to 1892, and he was elected for the first time in 1905, all of them representing Bacău County. Between March and October of 1918, he was the Minister of Public Works in this period he acquitted himself very well on this extremely difficult mission. In the first elections based on the universal vote (November 1919) he was elected deputy, but later he refused to run again. He got involved in investments for the development of the national economy and was elected president of the National Bank. Due to investments and stock market speculations made by a few directors, the Bank went bankrupt. The rebukes of conscience led him to an honorable decision, so he decided to end his days himself.