Leonid Solarević

Leonid Solarević (Serbian Cyrillic: Леонид Соларевић; Belgrade, 18 September 1854 – Belgrade, 20 April 1929) was a Serbian military officer. As a colonel of the Royal Serbian Army, he was one of the main participants in the May Coup of 1903 against King Alexander I of Serbia.[1][2]

General

Leonid Solarević
Native name
Serbian Cyrillic: Леонид Соларевић
Born(1854-09-18)September 18, 1854
Belgrade, Principality of Serbia
DiedApril 20, 1929(1929-04-20) (aged 74)
Belgrade, Kingdom of Yugoslavia
Allegiance Principality of Serbia
 Kingdom of Serbia
Service/branchArmed forces of the Principality of Serbia
Royal Serbian Army
Years of service1869–1900
1903–1910
1914–1918
Rank General
Battles/warsSerbian–Turkish Wars (1876–1878)
Serbo-Bulgarian War
World War I
AwardsOrder of Karađorđe's Star
Order of the White Eagle
Order of the Cross of Takovo
Order of Miloš the Great
Spouse(s)Danica Kovačević
Children5
Other workParticipant in the May Coup
Minister of Army
Chief of the Military Academy

Position at the Serbian court

After a career in artillery, Solarević became aide-de-camp to King Alexander I in August 1893, and the main aide-de-camp in May 1898. Due to his opposition to the King's marriage to Draga Mašin, he was retired at his own request in July 1900. At the same time, he was relieved of his duties as an officer.[1][2]

Participation in the May Coup

On the day of the May Coup (10–11 June [O.S. 28–29 May] 1903) Solarević was reactivated, with the rank of colonel he had before retiring. On the same day, he was appointed commander of the Danube Divisional Area, assuming command in place of murdered Colonel Dimitrije Nikolić, a firm loyalist to the King and the Obrenović dynasty.[1][2]

Later career

Following the coup, Solarević served as the Minister of Army in 1903, Chief of the Military Academy in 1904–1907, and became a general in 1907. After that, he was retired twice – at his own request in 1910, and at the end of World War I in 1918 (as he was reactivated in 1914).[1][2]

Personal life

Solarević was married to Danica Kovačević, and had 5 children with her (3 sons and 2 daughters).[2]

References
  1. Милић Милићевић; Љубодраг Поповић (2003). Генерали Војске Кнежевнине и Краљевине Србије. Војноиздавачки завод. pp. 213–217. ISBN 978-86-335-0142-2.
  2. Бјелајац 2004, pp. 271

Bibliography
  • Милић Милићевић; Љубодраг Поповић (2003). Генерали Војске Кнежевнине и Краљевине Србије (in Serbian). Војноиздавачки завод. pp. 213–217. ISBN 978-86-335-0142-2.
  • Бјелајац, Миле С. (2004). Генерали и адмирали Краљевине Југославије 1918—1941 (in Serbian). Институт за новију историју Србије, Београд. p. 271. ISBN 978-86-7005-039-6.
Political offices
Preceded by
Jovan Atanacković		 Minister of Army
1903		 Succeeded by
Milan Andrejević
Military offices
Preceded by
Lazar Lazarević		 Chief of the Military Academy
1904–1907		 Succeeded by
Mihailo Živković
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