Todor Ikonomov – the political Don Quixote of the builders of contemporary Bulgaria Cover Image

Тодор Икономов – политическият Дон Кихот от строителите на съвременна България
Todor Ikonomov – the political Don Quixote of the builders of contemporary Bulgaria

Author(s): Nikolay Ilchev
Subject(s): History, Local History / Microhistory
Published by: Шуменски университет »Епископ Константин Преславски«
Keywords: Todor Ikonomov; legislative framework; integrity; perseverance and idealism; quixotism; tragic demise

Summary/Abstract: Todor Ikonomov as a person, even though somewhat forgotten, is interesting for his active participation in the clerical movement for independent Bulgarian church and the political life after the liberation of Bulgaria in 1878. This article looks into his views and his participation in developing the legislative framework for the internal arrangement of the restored Principality of Bulgaria. It discusses his ideas regarding the activity of the established Bulgarian Exarchate, his involvement in the development and adoption of the first Bulgarian constitution, his activities as Minister of the Interior and Minister of the Public Buildings and Commerce, Mayor of Sofia, District Governor of Shumen, Chairman and member of the State Council during the regime of credentials, as well as a member of the Commission for large landowner lands and farms, member of the Commission for settling the border dispute with the Kingdom of Serbia, arbiter to the dispute of the country with entrepreneur Iv. Hadzhienov, and his participation in settling the issue of purchasing the Varna – Russe railroad, are the milestones in his rich political career. Examples have been provided of his perseverance, integrity, high moral standards and idealism in asserting his political detachment, and service only in the public interest as an unwavering opponent to any political partisanship, demagogy and unscrupulousness. His idealism and quixotism actually lead to his tragic demise.