Stefan Stambolov was a Bulgarian revolutionary, politician, journalist and poet. He served as Prime Minister and is considered to be one of the most important "Founders of Modern Bulgaria" He helped organize two of the biggest uprisings in the country, the Stara Zagora uprising and the April uprising. During the Balkan Wars, he helped Bulgaria improve in economic and cultural ways. Using his strict dictatorial methods, Stefan Stambolov served for seven years (1887 - 1894). Shortly after he resigned, Knyaz ("Ruling Prince") Ferdinant organized his assasination where Stambolov got severely injured. After his passing the independent course of his policy was abandoned. Stefan Stambolov is now portrayed on the Bulgarian 20 levs banknote and has many streets and venues named after him.