Alexander of Battenberg
Alexander Joseph GCB (Bulgarian: Александър I Батенберг; 5 April 1857 – 17 November 1893), known as Alexander of Battenberg, was the first prince (knyaz) of the Principality of Bulgaria from 1879 until his abdication in 1886. The Bulgarian Grand National Assembly elected him as Prince of autonomous Bulgaria, in 1879. He dissolved the assembly in 1880 and suspended the Constitution in 1881, considering it too liberal. He restored the Constitution in 1883, leading to open conflict with Russia that made him popular in Bulgaria. Unification with Eastern Rumelia was achieved and recognised by the powers in 1885. A coup carried out by pro-Russian Bulgarian Army officers forced him to abdicate in September 1886. He later became a general in the Austrian army.
| Alexander I Александър I | |||||
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| Prince of Bulgaria | |||||
| Reign | 29 April 1879 – 7 September 1886 | ||||
| Predecessor | Vacant (previously Constantine II) | ||||
| Successor | Ferdinand I | ||||
| Born | 5 April 1857 Verona, Kingdom of Lombardy–Venetia, Austrian Empire | ||||
| Died | 17 November 1893 (aged 36) Graz, Duchy of Styria, Austria-Hungary | ||||
| Burial | |||||
| Spouse | Johanna Loisinger | ||||
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| House | Battenberg | ||||
| Father | Prince Alexander of Hesse and by Rhine | ||||
| Mother | Julia, Princess of Battenberg | ||||
| Religion | Lutheran | ||||