Alexandru Tzigara-SamurcaÈ™
Romanian academic
Died when: 79 years 363 days (959 months)Star Sign: Aries
Alexandru Tzigara-Samurca? (Romanian pronunciation: [alek'sandru t?si'gara samur'ka?]; also known as Al.Tzigara, Tzigara-Sumurca?, Tzigara-Samurcash, Tzigara-Samurkasch or ?igara-Samurca?;April 4, 1872 – April 1, 1952) was a Romanian art historian, ethnographer, museologist and cultural journalist, also known as local champion of art conservation, Romanian Police leader and pioneer radio broadcaster.
Tzigara was a member of the Junimea literary society, holding positions at the National School of Fine Arts, the University of Bucharest and lastly the University of Cernau?i.
During his youth, he was secretary to Carol I, the King of Romania.Close to the royal family, he also served as head of the , where he set up a large collection of photographic plates.
Tzigara achieved fame in 1906 as founder of the "National Museum", nucleus of the present-day Museum of the Romanian Peasant, but was also involved in arranging and preserving the Theodor Aman art fund.
During World War I, Tzigara-Samurca? irritated Romanian public opinion by accepting to serve in a puppet administration set up by the Central Powers.
Although his conduct was considered benign by the legitimate government, it drew him accusations of collaborationism from within academia, and aggravated his long-standing conflict with historian Nicolae Iorga.
Tzigara was prevented from advancing in his university career over the interwar period, but compensated for this mishap with other achievements: he was a delegate to several world fairs, the first-ever lecturer on Radio Romania's staff, the editor in chief of Convorbiri Literare magazine, and, shortly before retirement, a corresponding member of the Academy.
His post-World War II years were spent in obscurity, owing to his ideological incompatibility with the Romanian communist regime.Alexandru Tzigara-Samurca? was alleged to be Carol I's illegitimate son, a rumor fueled by his closeness to court.
He was himself the father of artist , and father in law of folklorist .
