b. 1876, Cernatul Sacelele (Braşov) – d. 1950, Sighet. Historian, academic, politician.
Donations to the Library of the University of Cluj keep a place of honor in the Golden Book of our donors, and the Library's Teachers' Hall still bears its name today.
His father was Professor Ion Lapedatu, his mother was the daughter of a wealthy merchant. As a student, he attended the Faculty of Letters and Philosophy at the University of Bucharest, having the opportunity to specialize in the study of medieval history and to initiate himself in the research of medieval historical monuments. After completing his studies, he taught for a period at Andrei Saguna High School in Brasov, then worked as a researcher at the Academy Library. He taught Old History at the University of Cluj, being valued by both students and colleagues. One of those who appreciated his qualities was his friend Sextil Puscariu, the first rector of the University of Cluj. From 1921 to 1922, in which he was a professor at the Faculty of Letters and Philosophy, he also served as dean and then as pro-dean.
His passion and interest in history led Alexandru Lapedatu to make great efforts to create an institution dedicated exclusively to historical research in Cluj. Thus, he was one of the founders, then co-directors of the Institute of National History in Cluj. Over the years, he held important positions within state institutions, such as director general of the State Archives, academician and president of the Romanian Academy.
Political activity began in 1922, when he was elected as a member of the Liberal National Party. Thus, during the interwar period he was part of liberal governments, holding various functions. During his time as secretary of the Historical Monuments Commission, he was in charge of drafting two impressive works: the Bulletin of the Historical Monuments Commission and the Historic Monuments Commission's Year. In their contents was made the inventory and presentation of all the national treasures of the Romanian state.
Academic, academic and political activity, complemented by cultural and publishing, brought him not only material and social satisfaction, but also the admiration and respect of King Ferdinand I. During his lifetime, Alexandru Lapedatu became a member of numerous cultural societies and commissions and collaborated on numerous scientific and literary journals.
Unfortunately, with the change of political regime and the reorganization of the Academy, on 9 June 1948, his membership was withdrawn, and he was arrested in May 1950, along with other liberal leaders and imprisoned in Sighet. On August 30, the same year, he died in prison. The cause of death appears to have been asphyxiation, as being sick with asthma, Alexandru Lapedatu could not survive the terrible regime in the dungeon.
He left behind a prestigious work. Among his most representative works are: Historical documents from the archives of Brasov (1903), Vlad-Voda, 1482-1496. Historical Monograph (1903), Stephen the Great (1904), The Historical Activity of Nicolae Densusianu (1846-1911) (1912), Our Historical Monuments in Illustrated Readings (1914), A Bunch of Historical Research (1915), Miscellanae. Commemorative, Panegiric, Occasional and Political Words (1925). He wrote monographs about Romanian historical personalities, such as: Radu the Beautiful, Petru Maior, Mihnea the Evil, but also about many others.
