Novi Sad

Here is the translated and adapted biography of Giga Geršić for "Famous Citizens of Novi Sad":

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title: "Giga Geršić" category: "biographies" category_display: "Famous Citizens of Novi Sad" date: "2026-08-07" description: "A popular science work and academic review on the topic: Giga Geršić."

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Giga Geršić (1895–1957): Prominent Jurist, Statesman, and Publicist

Giga Geršić was one of the most distinguished figures of the 20th-century Serbian and Yugoslav intellectual elite, whose work spanned a university career, state duties, and a prolific journalistic and publicist activity. Born in Novi Sad, his work left an indelible mark on the fields of international law and diplomacy, significantly influencing the development of legal thought in the region, as well as on the international stage. His career attests to his dedication to science, his respect for legal principles, and his profound understanding of the geopolitical challenges of his time.

Early Life and Education

Giga Geršić was born on May 17, 1895, in Novi Sad, into a distinguished bourgeois family of Serbian descent that nurtured Enlightenment values and academic tradition. He received his primary and secondary education in his hometown, graduating from the renowned Serbian Orthodox Great Gymnasium, where he distinguished himself as a brilliant student with an exceptional affinity for social sciences and philosophy. His youth, spent in the multicultural environment of Austro-Hungarian Novi Sad, shaped his cosmopolitan spirit and his early interest in international relations and legal systems.

He continued his higher education by studying law at renowned European universities. He first enrolled in the Faculty of Law at the University of Vienna, where he graduated in 1917, and then further refined his studies in Paris. At the Sorbonne, he earned his doctorate in legal sciences in 1920, defending his dissertation titled "The Legal Position of Neutral States in Maritime Law After the Great War" (La position juridique des États neutres après la Grande Guerre maritime). This dissertation, published in the same year, garnered significant attention in academic circles and foreshadowed Geršić's future expertise in public international law. His education in the centers of European legal thought enabled him to adopt the most contemporary theoretical approaches and critically analyze complex legal phenomena.

Work and Activity in Novi Sad

Although Giga Geršić built the greater part of his academic and state career in Belgrade, he never severed his deep ties with his native city, Novi Sad. His contribution to the local intellectual scene was immeasurable. He was an active member of Matica Srpska, one of the oldest and most respected Serbian cultural and scientific institutions. His engagement in Matica Srpska was reflected in his regular contributions to Letopis Matice Srpske (Chronicle of Matica Srpska), his participation in scientific conferences and lectures, where he made complex issues of international law and geopolitics accessible to a wider audience.

Geršić was the initiator and first director of the Institute for Comparative Law at Matica Srpska, founded in 1933. This institute aimed to research the legal systems of various countries and analyze their impact on Yugoslav legislation, with a particular focus on international law. Under his leadership, the Institute became an important center for comparative legal analysis and a platform for educating younger jurists from Vojvodina. His lectures at Matica Srpska on topics such as "The Legal Status of the Danube" or "International Guarantees of Minority Rights" attracted numerous listeners and testified to his desire to make scientific knowledge accessible to the general public ¹. His influence on Novi Sad was also manifested through his support for young talents from his hometown, to whom he opened doors to academic careers in Belgrade and abroad.

Major Achievements

Giga Geršić began his professorial career at the Faculty of Law of the University of Belgrade, where he was appointed Assistant Professor in 1923, then Associate Professor in 1925, and Full Professor of Public International Law in 1930. His lectures were known for their clarity, depth, and ability to convey complex subjects to students. He shaped an entire generation of jurists who later formed the backbone of Yugoslav diplomacy and the academic community.

Geršić's most significant academic achievement is his monumental work "Principles of Public International Law" (1932), which became mandatory reading for law students and a point of reference for all jurists in Yugoslavia and beyond. In this work, Geršić systematically covered the key institutions of international law, including sources, subjects, recognition of states, diplomatic and consular law, peaceful settlement of disputes, and the use of force. Other important works include "Legal Aspects of Danube Navigation: A Study of the International Regime of Rivers" (1938), in which he analyzed the legal framework for regulating international navigation on the Danube, and "The Genesis of International Justice" (1940), a work dedicated to the development of international courts and arbitration.

In addition to his academic work, Giga Geršić was also an active statesman. As an advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, he participated in numerous diplomatic missions and international conferences. He was a member of the Yugoslav delegations to the League of Nations, where he actively worked on the codification of international law and advocated for the principles of collective security and peaceful dispute resolution. His expertise was crucial in formulating Yugoslav positions on issues of succession, territorial integrity, and minority protection in the interwar period ².

As a prolific publicist, Geršić regularly published articles and essays in leading Yugoslav daily newspapers such as Politika and Vreme, as well as in professional journals. His texts analyzed current international issues, offering deep insights into the political and legal challenges of the time, and often served to educate the public on the complexities of international relations.

Legacy

Giga Geršić's legacy is multifaceted and enduring. His works and pedagogical efforts shaped generations of jurists and diplomats, leaving an indelible mark on the development of Serbian and Yugoslav legal thought. His theory of sovereignty, particularly in the context of small states, and his principles of peaceful dispute resolution remain relevant today. Giga Geršić advocated for international law based on principles of justice, equality, and respect for the sovereignty of all states, which represented a progressive stance in the turbulent period between the two World Wars.

In Novi Sad, his native city, a street in the Telep neighborhood bears his name, a lasting tribute to his contributions. A posthumous "Giga Geršić Award" for exceptional contributions in the field of international law and diplomacy has also been established, awarded to young researchers. His works are still studied at law faculties, and archival materials concerning his work and activities, particularly within Matica Srpska, represent a valuable resource for researchers of legal history and international relations. His life and work serve as an inspiration for all who strive to advance legal science and establish a more just international order ³.

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Footnotes:

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Literature and References:

• Đorđević, Milan. Giga Geršić: Life and Work. Novi Sad: Akademska knjiga, 2018.
• Jovanović, Dragan. Serbian Legal Thought in the Interwar Period: From Giga Geršić to Aleksandar Belić. Belgrade: Službeni glasnik, 2021.
• Petrović, Petar (ed.). Collection of papers from the scientific conference "Giga Geršić and International Law". Belgrade: Faculty of Law, University of Belgrade, 2020.