Ferdinand I of Bulgaria

Ferdinand I was the monarch of Bulgaria from 1887 to 1918, reigning as Prince of Bulgaria from 1887 to 1908 and Tsar of Bulgaria from 1908 until his abdication in 1918. Under his rule, Bulgaria began rapidly modernising its industry, military, infrastructure and culture. It achieved independence from the Ottoman Empire and fought in the Balkan Wars and World War I, the latter of which ended with the catastrophic Treaty of Neuilly-sur-Seine and prompted Ferdinand's abdication.