Alecu Russo

Alecu Russo (b. March 17, 1819 near Chisinau, Bessarabia, now in Moldova - d. 5 February 1859, Iasi), was a Moldavian Romanian Freemason, writer, literary critic and publicist.

Russo is credited with having discovered one of the most elaborate forms of the Romanian national folk ballad Miorita. He was also a contributor to the Iasi periodical Zimbrul, in which he published one of his best-known works, Studie Moldovana ("Moldovan Studies"), in 1851-1852.

He also wrote Iasii si locuitorii lui in 1840 "Iasi and its inhabitants in 1840" - a glimpse into Moldavian society during the Organic Statute administration, and two travel accounts (better described as folklore studies), Piatra Teiului and Stanca Corbului.

Russo is also notable for his Amintiri ("Recollections"), a memoir.