Milovan Djilas

Profession: Politician and Writer

Nationality:

Biography: Milovan Djilas was one of the leaders of the Communist Party of Yugoslavia and served in the government of Yugoslavia as Vice-President of the Federal Executive Council. He also wrote several books, most notably The New Class, which discussed the emergence of the ruling class in communist societies.

Djilas became a member of the Communist Party of Yugoslavia in 1932. He was arrested and imprisoned several times by the Yugoslav government for his political activities. He eventually rose to become a leading member of the party, and was elected to the Federal Executive Council in 1953.

Djilas became increasingly critical of the Yugoslav government, however, and was expelled from the party in 1954. He was arrested and imprisoned again in 1955. He was released in 1956 and went into exile in Italy and the United States.

Djilas continued to write and publish while in exile, then returned to Yugoslavia in 1962. He was arrested and imprisoned once again and was not released until 1966.

Born: June 12, 1911
Birthplace: Podbišće, Montenegro

Generation: Greatest Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Pig
Star Sign: Gemini

Died: April 20, 1995 (aged 83)