Ilija Starčević

A senior official of the Franciscan order, educator, pioneer, builder and promoter of education in the Bosnian Posavina region. He opened the first elementary school in Bosnia & Herzegovina in 1823 in Tolisa where he was also the first teacher. He thus laid the foundations of secular elementary schools in rural areas of BiH. He was also an excellent diplomat and held good relations with the Austrian and Ottoman rulers, often advocating for the rights of Catholics and education.