Ivan Ilchev


Ivan Ilchev, Ph.D. in history, the rector of Sofia University between 2007 and 2015. He specialized in modern history of the Balkan peoples.
Ivan Ilchev was born on June 25, 1953 in Sofia. His father is Ilcho Dimitrov, also a famous historian and former minister of education. His mother is of Jewish descent. Ilchev graduated from the 114 English High School in Sofia. He continued his education in Sofia University, where he graduated in history. After his graduation, in 1978, he became assistant professor at the History Department of the Sofia University and associate professor in 1987. He was awarded the title of professor of modern history of the Balkan Peoples in 1995.
Ivan Ilchev has lectured in Ohio State University in Columbus, Wilson Center in Washington D.C., the University of Chiba, Japan, the universities of Leipzig, Thessaloníki, Oxford, Chicago and many other famous universities.
He was dean of the History Department of Sofia University and member of the Academic Council from 2003 to 2007. Ilchev is also an active member of the Social Council of Bulgarian National Television and the Public Museum Council at the Ministry of Culture.
At the beginning of November 2007, professor Ilchev was elected rector of the Sofia University, after a ballot, by 218 votes to 90 for the other candidate. He was reelected in 2011.
He is corresponding member of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.

Selected publications

Ivan Ilchev has published 13 books, 2 of them in co-authorship with other academics. The most renowned of them - in Bulgarian, titles translated - are:
on Graham Land, Antarctica is named after Ivan Ilchev.