# Corneliu Zelea Codreanu

> Romanian fascist politician; leader of the Iron Guard between 1927–1938 (1899–1938)

**Wikidata**: [Q318105](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q318105)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corneliu_Zelea_Codreanu)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/corneliu-zelea-codreanu

## Summary
Corneliu Zelea Codreanu was a Romanian politician and national hero, best known as the founder and leader of the Iron Guard, a far-right ultranationalist movement active in Romania between 1927 and 1941. His political activism and leadership significantly influenced Romanian politics during the interwar period, making him a controversial yet pivotal figure in the country's history.

## Biography
- **Born**: September 25, 1899
- **Died**: November 30, 1938
- **Nationality**: Romanian
- **Education**: Studied at Alexandru Ioan Cuza University and Grenoble Alpes University
- **Known for**: Founding and leading the Iron Guard, a prominent ultranationalist movement in Romania
- **Occupation**: Politician
- **Field(s)**: Politics, nationalism

## Contributions
Corneliu Zelea Codreanu founded the Iron Guard in 1927, a movement that became a significant political force in Romania during the late 1920s and 1930s. The Iron Guard advocated for ultranationalist policies and played a major role in shaping the political landscape of Romania during this period. Codreanu's leadership and the movement's activities had a profound impact on Romanian society and politics, influencing both domestic and international perceptions of the country.

## FAQs
### **Who was Corneliu Zelea Codreanu?**
Corneliu Zelea Codreanu was a Romanian politician and the founder of the Iron Guard, an ultranationalist movement that gained prominence in Romania during the interwar period. He is recognized as a national hero by some and a controversial figure by others due to his political activities and ideology.

### **What was the Iron Guard?**
The Iron Guard was a far-right ultranationalist movement founded by Corneliu Zelea Codreanu in 1927. It was active in Romania until 1941 and played a significant role in the country's political and social dynamics during the late 1920s and 1930s.

### **Where did Corneliu Zelea Codreanu study?**
Corneliu Zelea Codreanu studied at Alexandru Ioan Cuza University in Romania and Grenoble Alpes University in France. His education contributed to his political ideologies and leadership within the Iron Guard.

### **What is Corneliu Zelea Codreanu known for?**
Corneliu Zelea Codreanu is primarily known for founding and leading the Iron Guard, a movement that advocated for ultranationalist policies and had a significant impact on Romanian politics during the interwar period.

### **When did Corneliu Zelea Codreanu die?**
Corneliu Zelea Codreanu died on November 30, 1938. His death marked the end of his direct influence on the Iron Guard, though the movement continued to operate for several more years.

## Why They Matter
Corneliu Zelea Codreanu's leadership of the Iron Guard significantly influenced Romanian politics and society during a critical period in the country's history. His movement shaped the political discourse of the time and had lasting effects on the nation's trajectory. Codreanu's ideas and the Iron Guard's activities continue to be studied and debated, reflecting their enduring impact on Romanian history and politics.

## Notable For
- Founding the Iron Guard, a prominent ultranationalist movement in Romania
- Being a key political figure in Romania during the interwar period
- Influencing the political and social dynamics of Romania in the late 1920s and 1930s
- Studying at prestigious institutions such as Alexandru Ioan Cuza University and Grenoble Alpes University

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Corneliu Zelea Codreanu was born on September 25, 1899, in Romania. He pursued his education at Alexandru Ioan Cuza University in Romania and later at Grenoble Alpes University in France. His academic background played a crucial role in shaping his political ideologies and leadership style.

### Political Career and the Iron Guard
In 1927, Codreanu founded the Iron Guard, an ultranationalist movement that quickly gained prominence in Romania. The movement advocated for far-right policies and became a significant political force during the late 1920s and 1930s. Under Codreanu's leadership, the Iron Guard influenced both domestic and international perceptions of Romania and played a major role in the country's political landscape.

### Influence and Legacy
Corneliu Zelea Codreanu's leadership and the Iron Guard's activities had a profound impact on Romanian society and politics. His ideas and the movement's policies continue to be studied and debated, reflecting their enduring influence on Romanian history. Codreanu's legacy is marked by his role as a national hero to some and a controversial figure to others, highlighting the complex nature of his political contributions.

### Death and Aftermath
Corneliu Zelea Codreanu died on November 30, 1938. His death marked the end of his direct influence on the Iron Guard, though the movement continued to operate for several more years. The Iron Guard's activities and Codreanu's leadership remain significant topics in the study of Romanian history and politics.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. Czech National Authority Database
4. International Standard Name Identifier
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. CiNii Research
7. MusicBrainz
8. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
9. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
10. Proleksis Encyclopedia
11. Croatian Encyclopedia
12. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
13. Library of Congress Authorities
14. datos.bne.es
15. [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corneliu_Zelea_Codreanu)
16. [Source](https://www.marturisitorii.ro/2018/03/22/premiera-arhivele-nationale-publica-actul-de-nastere-al-capitanului-miscarii-legionare-corneliu-zelea-codreanu-extras-din-registrului-starii-civile-iasi-din-septembrie-1899-document/)
17. LIBRIS. 2016
18. Catalogo of the National Library of India