George Barbu Știrbei
| George Barbu Știrbei (Georges Stirbey) |
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|---|---|
Bust of Știrbei by his wife Valérie Simonin
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| Foreign Minister of the Principality of Romania | |
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In office July 15, 1866 – February 21, 1867 |
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| Monarch | Carol I |
| Preceded by | Petre Mavrogheni |
| Succeeded by | Ștefan Golescu |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
April 1, 1828 Bucharest, Wallachia |
| Died | August 15, 1925 (aged 97) |
| Spouse(s) | Valérie Simonin |
| Relations |
Barbu Dimitrie Știrbei (father) Alexandru B. Știrbei (brother) Gheorghe Bibescu (uncle) Alexandru Bibescu (cousin) Ion Emanuel Florescu (brother-in-law) Alexandru Plagino (brother-in-law) Antoine Bibesco (nephew) George Valentin Bibescu (nephew) Georg Larisch of Moennich (nephew) Eliza Brătianu (niece) Barbu Știrbey (nephew) Anna de Noailles (grandniece) |
| Children |
Consuelo Fould Georges Achille Fould |
| Profession | Soldier, diplomat, businessman, journalist, critic, playwright, biographer |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |
 Wallachia
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| Years of service | 1851–1856 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands | Wallachian militia |
| Battles/wars | Crimean War |
George Barbu Știrbei or Știrbeiŭ, also known as Gheorghe, Georgie, or Iorgu Știrbei (Francized Georges Stirbey; April 1, 1828 – August 15, 1925), was a Wallachian-born Romanian aristocrat and politician who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs from July 15, 1866 until February 21, 1867. He was the eldest son of Barbu Dimitrie Știrbei, Prince of Wallachia, and the nephew of his rival, Gheorghe Bibescu; his younger siblings included the landowner and industrialist Alexandru B. Știrbei. Educated in France, he returned to Wallachia during his father's princely mandate, as a Beizadea and aspiring politician. Fleeing his country during the Crimean War, he served the French Empire before returning to serve as Minister of War and Spatharios. He is remembered for reforming the Wallachian militia during the remainder of Prince Barbu's term.
Știrbei remained a legislator of Wallachia and then of the United Principalities, beginning with his stint in the ad-hoc Divan. He was however strongly opposed to the Principalities' first Domnitor, Alexandru Ioan Cuza, reemerging by 1860 as a charismatic leader of the conservative opposition. His involvement in political scandals and electoral intrigues led to his brief arrest that same year, but Cuza was ultimately toppled in 1866. Following this, Știrbei abandoned his own bid for the throne to serve Domnitor Carol of Hohenzollern. As Foreign Minister, he helped secure recognition for the United Principalities, and made diplomatic overtures toward Austria-Hungary. Failing in his attempt to become Prime Minister of Romania, he was disappointed with the Domnitor, leaving politics altogether.
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