Ilia Chavchvadze (1837 – 1907) – One of the greatest Georgian writers, and a public benefactor and leader of the national liberation movement. Born to a prominent noble family in Kvareli, he graduated from the 1st Classical Gymnasium in Tbilisi and studied law at the University of St. Petersburg. Returning to Georgia, Chavchavadze became founder and editor-in-chief of several Georgian public and political periodicals, including Sakartvelos Moambe (1863–1877) and Iveria (1877–1905).
Throughout this period, he served as founder and chairman of many public, cultural, and educational organizations, among them the Society for the Advancement of Learning among Georgians, Historical-Ethnographical Society of Georgia, Bank of the Nobility, Dramatic Society, and others that were important forces in reviving a national conscience in Georgia. He is credited with shaping a language of intellectual debate, polemic, and reporting, and a standard style for narrative prose.
In 1906–1907, Chavchavadze was elected to the Duma of the Russian Empire, where he allied himself with the liberals and supported various causes, including the abolition of capital punishment, which was the subject of one of his works, Sakhrchobelaze. Besides his journal articles and excellent translations of European literature, he authored numerous literary works that became classics of Georgian literature. His first major works, Katsia-adamiani? and Otaraant kvrivi, portray with subtle humor, irony, and detail the degeneration of the Georgian gentry and the life of the common people. His later works, Mepe Dimitri Tavdadebuli and Gandegili, exalted self-sacrifice and religious redemption. Mgzavris tserilebi revealed his criticism of contemporary society and set out his goals for national revival.
By the early 1900s, Chavchavadze, together with Akaki Tsereteli, had become indisputable leaders of the national movement who spearheaded the revival of Georgian culture and language and sought social, political, and economic reforms. Both men were so revered that they were, and still are, known simply as Ilia and Akaki.
However, on 30 August 1907, Chavchavadze was assassinated near Tsitsamuri. Although the murder was never solved, it is widely believed that the Georgian radical Social Democrats were behind it. Ilia was later canonized by the Georgian Orthodox Church.
