Revolutionary Georgi Rakovski

Georgi Stoykov Rakovski, also known as Georgi Sava Rakovski, was a Bulgarian revolutionary and National Revival figure. He was a key figure in organising the national revolutionary struggle for Bulgaria's liberation, as well as a revolutionary democrat, writer, poet, publicist, journalist, historian and ethnographer.

In the summer of 1841, Rakovski left Constantinople for Brăila, where he prepared for a revolt. There he became a teacher of Greek and French, using a Greek passport and the identity of Georgi Makedon. He participated in the Brăila revolt of 1842, for which he was sentenced to death, but with the help of the Greek ambassador in Constantinople he escaped execution and settled in Marseille, where he established the Macedonian Society and the Slavic-Bulgarian Learned Society.

After returning to Kotel, he joined his father in the local craft guilds' struggle against the wealthy notables. Following slanderous accusations, they were arrested, convicted and spent time in prison in Constantinople. After his release in 1848, Rakovski continued his revolutionary activity.

In 1851–1854 he wrote several texts and participated in establishing the Secret Society in Svishtov. After the Crimean War broke out, he became involved in raising funds for Bulgaria's liberation and exposed the Turkish army's secret organisation. As a result he was arrested, but managed to escape. In June 1854 Rakovski formed a revolutionary detachment that fought in the eastern Balkan Mountains and attempted to establish contact with Russian troops.

In the following years, Rakovski continued to play an active role in the revolutionary efforts for Bulgaria's liberation.