Alexandru Mavrodi

Alexandru P. Mavrodi (December 7, 1881 – September 24, 1934) was a Romanian journalist, theater figure and politician.

Born in Dorohoi, he studied dramatic arts at the Iași Conservatory.[1] He then earned two doctorates, in Law from Paris and in Philosophy from Bonn. He entered journalism in 1898, writing for several Iași newspapers: Opinia, Evenimentul, Ordinea and Gazeta Moldovei,[2] where he became editor.[1] In 1903,[1] he became a “second-rate” actor at the Iași National Theatre.[3] Initially unpaid, his roles were minor but demanded stage presence; the young actor was tall, spoke clearly and looked well in formal costume. Likely due to the insignificance of his roles, Mavrodi emerged as a malcontent, ready to defend perceived victims of injustice, particularly actresses “insulted” by directors. He would respond to personal slights by recruiting seconds and asking for a duel. After leaving Iași, he went to Paris, where he studied journalism for two years on a scholarship.[4]

Returning to Romania and moving to Bucharest, he briefly worked as a political reporter at Adevărul and Dimineața. He was chief editor and later manager of the official National Liberal journal Viitorul.[1][4] There, he wrote about politics and reviewed plays under the pen name Alexandru Fronda (a character in Haralamb Lecca’s play Câinii).[4] While at Viitorul, he became embroiled in a scandal regarding the re-election of Duiliu Zamfirescu as President of the Chamber of Deputies. The newspaper’s constant attacks on Zamfirescu prompted him to challenge Mavrodi to a duel, sending seconds to the editor’s office. Mavrodi also chose seconds, but they were unable to agree to terms.[5]

In 1915, he became director of the National Theater Bucharest and general director of theaters.[1] He was brought in to save an institution in chaos and on the verge of bankruptcy; unlike his predecessors, he was an insider.[4] He held this position until 1918, again in 1922-1923 and finally from 1931.[1] He was head of the Radio Society and of the journalists’ union.[2]

A key member of King Carol II’s camarilla, he was treasured by the king and Elena Lupescu for the information he provided regarding senior Liberal figures.[3] He sat as a Liberal in the Chamber of Deputies (1931) and in the Senate. He was deputy state secretary in the prime minister’s office from November 1933 until his death.[2]