Karageorge

Karageorge (kăr'ujôrj', kä"räjôr'jā) [key], 1768?–1817, Serbian patriot. Born George Petrović, he was known as Karageorge, or Black George. He led the Serbs in their insurrection (1804) against the Ottomans, took (1806) Belgrade, where the Ottoman population was massacred, and was proclaimed (1808) hereditary chief of the Serbs. He fought with Russia against the Ottoman Empire (1809–12). Abandoned by the Russians when peace was signed, he fled to Austria. On his return to Serbia he was murdered, probably at the instigation of Miloš Obrenović (see Miloš). Although an illiterate peasant, Karageorge showed great military ability. In Serbo-Croatian his name is Karadjordje, and the dynasty descended from him is known as Karadjordjević.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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