Alexander of Battenberg

Prince of Bulgaria

5 April 1857 Verona, Lombardy–Venetia

17 November 1893(1893-11-17) (36) Graz, Austria-Hungary

NamesAlexander Joseph von Battenberg Александър Йозеф фон Батенберг

First prince of the Principality of Bulgaria Alexander IPrince of BulgariaReign29 April 1879 – 7 September 1886PredecessorConstantine II (r. 1397–1422 as an emperor-in exile)SuccessorFerdinand IBorn(1857-04-05 ) 5 April 1857 Verona, Lombardy–VenetiaDied17 November 1893(1893-11-17) (aged 36) Graz, Austria-HungaryBurialBattenberg Mausoleum, SofiaSpouseJohanna LoisingerIssueCount Assen of Hartenau Countess Tsvetana of HartenauNamesAlexander Joseph von Battenberg Александър Йозеф фон Батенберг HouseBattenbergFatherPrince Alexander of Hesse and by RhineMotherCountess Julia von HaukeReligionLutheran 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, which officially remained within the Ottoman Empire, 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.