Sextil Pușcariu

He directed the multi-volume Dicționarul limbii române, also known as the Thesaurus Dictionary of the Romanian Language. This monumental lexicographic project sought to document the entire vocabulary of the Romanian language. He served as its director starting in the early 20th century.

Pușcariu founded the Institute of Linguistics in Bucharest, which today is named the 'Sextil Pușcariu Institute of Linguistics' in his honor. It remains a vital center for linguistic research in Romania. He also served as the first rector of the University of Cluj.

Aside from his work on dictionaries, he was a highly respected philologist and professor. He made significant contributions to the study of Romanian phonetics, morphology, and linguistic history. His research helped standardize the modern Romanian language.

He lived from 1873 to 1948, a period that encompassed the crucial formation of the modern Romanian state. His academic work was instrumental in shaping the country's cultural identity after the 1918 union. He was actively researching and publishing right up until his death in the mid-20th century.