Constantin Negruzzi

Who was Constantin Negruzzi?

Constantin Negruzzi was a Romanian poet, novelist, translator, playwright and politician.

Born in Trifeştii Vechi, Moldavia, he studied at home with a Greek teacher. He admitted in a later article that he learnt Romanian by himself, from a book written by Petru Maior. During the 1821 Revolution, his family took refuge in Chişinău, Bessarabia, where he met Alexander Pushkin and became interested in literature.

Notable among his writings are his memoirs - Amintiri din juneţe - and his historical writings, Fragmente istorice, Negru pe alb, Aprodul Purice. He translated some of the ballads of Victor Hugo, some of Thomas Moore's poetry and Antioch Kantemir's poetry. Negruzzi wrote two plays, Muza de la Burdujeni and Cârlani, while translating several other plays.

Negruzzi also held several functions, including finance minister and deputy under Sturdza-Vodă. A supporter of liberal causes, he was twice exiled to his house in Trifeşti for criticism of the government.