The Revival Entrepreneur Hristo Arnaudov

The study attempts to construct the personal and professional biography of an entrepreneur from Gabrovo, Hristo Arnaudov. His dynamic and eventful life-story so far remained unsearched and overshadowed by the figure of his eminent father Stancho Arnaudov. For the purposes of this research I have analyzed documents from the museums in Gabrovo and Tarnovo. I have also selected evidence from incunabular books and archive of the Bulgarian Orthodox church. Various scientific publications which are corresponding to the theme are also cited. Hristo Arnaudov’s activity is stretching out in many different directions and has many faces. He was managing the family business in Tsarigrad until 1864; he was one of the first establishers of the joint-stock company “Providenie” in the Turkish capital; a participant in the Great Exhibition of the Works of Industries of All Nations in London; a member of the supervising board of the construction works of the St Stefan church and a warden of the Bulgarian orthodox community, as well as voluntary activity on the publishing of textbooks and a charitable activity in different school organisations. His most famous activity was the translation and publishing of the Laws of the Ottoman Empire in four volumes. After the Liberation Hristo Arnaudov returns to Bulgaria with his family and works in the Sevlievo Court. He became related to the Momchevs - a well-known family from Tarnovo. He passes away in the 1917. The dynamics of the economic and social events from the 50’s until 80’s of the 19 century are illustrating his hesitations and the well-estimated risk taking, as well as his progress based on experience and knowledge. He was also a participant in the revolutionary initiative of the Tsarigrad’s Bulgarians and eventually his activity became part of the concept of economical growth.