DIN VIAȚA ȘI ACTIVITATEA LUI ALECU BALȘ. DOCUMENTE NECUNOSCUTE
On the Life and Activity of Alecu Balș. Unknown Documents

Summary/Abstract: An unpublished set of documents bring new information on the life and activity of the Moldavian boyar Alecu Balș. The 25 documents are related to the family of the Alexandru Balș (1801-1864). His two marriages resulted in two children: Constantin (1827-1855), son of Casandra Cantacuzino (divorced from Alecu Balș in 1833), who was killed in duel by the Austrian Count Stolberg, and Alexandru (1838-1894), son of Princess Elenco Sturdza (divorced from the future Prince Grigore Ghica), daughter of Ioan Sandu Sturdza. The oldest document, from the beginning of the year 1793, centres on the uncle of Alecu Balș, Manolache (1756-1812). The following documents reveal aspects related to the life and activity of Alecu Balș, and his cursus honorum can be followed; thus, on the 24th of July 1849, Emperor of Russia, Nicolae I, awarded Alecu Balș the Order of Saint Ann, 2nd class. The documents present information on the two sons of Alexandru Balș, as well. For example, following the death of Constantin Balș, killed in duel, his father received an emotional letter of condolence signed, on the 6th of June 1855, by 37 Moldavian boyars. The prestige of Alexandru Balș was notorious and cherished, the appreciation letters signed by more than 20 boyars, dated the 29th of April 1836 and the 3rd of March 1837, giving evidence of this.

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