Vasil Levski (Bulgarian: Васил Левски, originally spelled Василъ Лѣвскій,[2] pronounced [vɐˈsiɫ ˈlɛfski]), born Vasil Ivanov Kunchev[3] (Васил Иванов Кунчев; 18 July 1837 – 18 February 1873), was a Bulgarian revolutionary and is a national hero of Bulgaria. Dubbed the Apostle of Freedom, Levski ideologised and strategised a revolutionary movement to liberate Bulgaria from Ottoman rule. Founding the Internal Revolutionary Organisation, Levski sought to foment a nationwide uprising through a network of secret regional committees.