Slobodan Jovanovic

Slobodan Jovanovic (3 December 1869, Novi Sad, Austria-Hungary (now Serbia) - 12 December 1958, London, United Kingdom) was one of Serbia's most prominent lawyers, historians, sociologists and journalists. He distinguished himself with the characteristically clear and sharp writing style later called "Belgrade style". He was prime minister of the Yugoslav government in exile during World War II from 11 January 1942 to 26 June 1943. Tried in absence by Tito´s communist regime together with Draza Mihailovic, he was sentenced to twenty years in jail which he never served, as well as the loss of political and civil rights for a period of ten years, and cofiscation of all property and loss of citizenship. He spent his later years in exile in London. After unofficial rehabilitation in 1989, his collected works were published in 1991.

In Serbia, he is universally regarded as one of the most influential political thinkers of the turn of the century.[citation needed] His analysis of the Karadjordjevic and Obrenovic rulers ranks among the clearest and most astute. In Serbia, he initiated discussion about previously little known subjects (such as the question of cultural patterns). He also distinguished himself with literary criticism and essays on topics ranging from art to culture and politics.

He was one of the most prominent intellectuals of his time. In his career, he was a lawyer, historian, writer, president of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, professor and rector at Belgrade University, and finally, deputy prime minister and prime minister of the Royal Yugoslav Government in exile.

His works are now widely published, and since 2003 his portrait is shown on the 5000 dinar banknote of the National Bank of Serbia, and his bust stands at the Faculty of Law in Belgrade. Official rehabilitation occurred on 26 October 2007 by the court in Belgrade.