Writer and Scientist. Bishop and Stateman. 180 Years Since the Birth of Vasil Drumev – Kliment Branitski and Turnovski

Abstract

On the basis of published sources and original documents from the Scientific Archive of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, the Central State Archive, the Bulgarian Historical Archive at the National Library „St. Cyril and St. Methodius” and the State Archives – Ruse, the views and activities of Vasil Drumev – Kliment Branitski and Tarnovski (1841 – 1901) are analyzed. He is one of the brightest personalities in the modern history of Bulgaria: a participant in the First Bulgarian Legion in 1862, a notable writer, one of the founders of the Bulgarian Literary Society in 1869, and after 1878 – a respected bishop, active public figure and statesman. Kliment participated in extremely important moments in the modern history of Bulgaria: the adoption of the Tarnovo Constitution, the election of Prince Alexander I, the state building of the young principality, the struggle to restore the constitutional order 1881 – 1883, diplomatic protection of the Union 1885, restoration of relations with Russia and the international recognition of the Bulgarian prince in 1895 – 1896.