Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Mihai Eminescu

Role / Field:

The most famous and influential Romanian Romantic poet, novelist, and journalist.

Born:

1850-01-15

Died:

1889-06-15

Century / Era:

1850s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Mihai Eminescu (Romanian pronunciation: [miˈhaj emiˈnesku] ; born Mihail Eminovici; 15 January [O.S. 3 January] 1850 – 15 June [O.S. 3 June] 1889) was a Romanian Romantic poet, novelist, and journalist from Moldavia, generally regarded as the most famous and influential Romanian poet. Eminescu was an active member of the Junimea literary society and worked as an editor for the newspaper Timpul ("The Time"), the official newspaper of the Conservative Party (1880–1918).

Pivotal Works & Achievements

His poetry was first published when he was 16 and he went to Vienna, Austria to study when he was 19. The poet's manuscripts, containing 46 volumes and approximately 14,000 pages, were offered by Titu Maiorescu as a gift to the Romanian Academy during the meeting that was held on 25 January 1902. Notable works include Luceafărul, Odă în metru antic (Ode in Ancient Meter), and the five Letters (Epistles/Satires). In his poems, he frequently used metaphysical, mythological and historical subjects. Eminescu's father was Gheorghe Eminovici, an aristocrat from Bukovina, which was then part of the Austrian Empire (while his grandfather came from Banat).

Enduring Legacy & Impact

He crossed the border into Moldavia, settling in Ipotești, near the town...

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Frequently Asked Questions about Mihai Eminescu