title: Gheorghe Costaforu
text: # Gheorghe Costaforu
  
  Gheorghe Costaforu (October 26, 1820 – November 28, 1876) was a lawyer, university professor and Romanian politician who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
  
  ## Life and career
  
  A graduate of Law School at Sorbonne University, Costaforu became the author of contemporary education system in Romania. He was one of the initiators of a large university palace complex construction at the University of Bucharest which was started in 1857. In 1864, he was appointed the university's first rector by decree of Alexandru Ioan Cuza, serving until 1871. From March 11, 1871 to April 27, 1873, Costa-Foru served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and in 1873, he was the Romanian envoy to Vienna. He also served as President of the Assembly of Deputies from July 2, 1870 to February 3, 1871.
  
  