Atanas Samokovliev

Atanas Samokovliev, also known as Atanas Samokovets (1832-1905), was a merchant, public figure and Plovdiv's first mayor after the Liberation. Born in Samokov, he was the son of icon painter Dimitar Zograf and brother of artist Stanislav Dospevski. After settling in Plovdiv he worked in tailoring and trade, helped administer the Holy Mother of God church and served in the city medjlis. The Provisional Russian Administration appointed him first mayor on 12 January 1878; he left office on 26 February that year. He later joined the Provisional Government after the Unification, was elected to parliament and was among the founders of the Plovdiv Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He was a deputy in the First Ordinary National Assembly and the Third Grand National Assembly.