Petar Petrović-Njegoš

Petar II Petrović Njegoš (November 13, 1813 – October 31, 1851), better known as Njegoš, was a Montenegrin ruler, bishop, poet, and philosopher whose works are considered among the most important in Montenegrin literature.

He was born in the village of Njeguši, near the then Montenegrin capital of Cetinje. He was educated in several Montenegrin monasteries and became the spiritual and political leader of the country after the death of his uncle Petar I. After eliminating all those who opposed his rule, he concentrated on unifying all the tribes in Montenegro and establishing a centralized state. He introduced a system of taxation, formed personal guards, and implemented a series of new laws that replaced those of his predecessors. His taxation policies proved extremely unpopular with the Montenegrin tribes and were the cause of several rebellions during his lifetime. Njegoš's reign was defined by constant political and military struggle with the Ottoman Empire and his attempts to expand the territory of Montenegro until he received unconditional recognition from the Sublime Porte. As an advocate of the unification and liberation of the Serbian people, he was ready to unite with Serbia and become the religious leader of all Serbs (today's patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church). Although the unification of the two countries did not happen during his lifetime, Njegoš laid some of the foundations of Yugoslavia and introduced modern political concepts to Montenegro.

Respected as a poet and philosopher, Njegoš is well known for his epic "Mountain Wreath", which is considered a masterpiece of Montenegrin, Serbian and Yugoslav literature. Njegoš remained influential in Montenegro and neighboring countries, and his works influenced a large number of different groups, including Serbian, Montenegrin, and Yugoslav nationalists, as well as monarchists and communists.