Radu Florescu (23 October 1925 – 18 May 2014) was a distinguished Romanian academic and Emeritus Professor of History at Boston College. He co-authored several bestselling books on Vlad Dracula with his colleague Raymond T. McNally, and was the Director of the East European Research Center at Boston College. Born into an aristocratic Florescu family in Bucharest, he left Romania during World War II and pursued his education in the United Kingdom and the United States. In Boston, he established himself as a renowned historian and diplomat, advising on Balkan and Eastern European affairs, and organizing symposiums on various historical themes. Florescu's influential research on Vlad the Impaler led to the popularization of the theory that Vlad III inspired Bram Stoker's Dracula. Beyond Dracula, he also delved into the exploration of literary creations such as Frankenstein and the Pied Piper of Hamelin. A dedicated philanthropist, Florescu served as Honorary Consul for New England and initiated annual scholarships for gifted Romanian teenagers to study in the Boston area. His legacy continues through his impactful work and scholarly contributions.

Radu Iliaș was a prominent historical figure who served as the Prince of Wallachia for a brief period in 1632. His exact birth and death dates remain unknown, but he was the son of Alexandru Iliaș, who also held the title of Prince of Wallachia. Radu Iliaș married Stanca Brâncoveanu, the daughter of Constantin Brâncoveanu. His tenure as Prince was short-lived, as he was deposed by the Ottoman Sublime Porte in favor of his predecessor, Matei Basarab. Despite attempting to reclaim his position, Radu Iliaș suffered defeat in the Battle of Plumbuita Monastery. Ultimately, Matei Basarab received the investiture flag and ascended as the next Prince of Wallachia following negotiations with the Porte. Radu Iliaș's legacy is defined by his brief but eventful time as a ruler in Wallachia during a period of political turmoil.This summary provides a concise and neutral introduction to Radu Iliaș, capturing the key details of his life and historical significance.