Alexander (son of Ivan Shishman)

Alexander, son of Ivan Shishman, was a Bulgarian prince who lived in the late 14th and early 15th centuries. He was one of the sons of Tsar Ivan Shishman of Bulgaria, who ruled from 1371 to 1395. Very little is definitively known about Alexander's life. Historical records concerning him are fragmented and often contradictory, making a complete and accurate biography difficult to construct.

Following the Ottoman conquest of Bulgaria, it is believed that Alexander, along with other members of the Bulgarian royal family, converted to Islam. This was a common practice employed by the Ottomans to integrate conquered elites into their empire and to secure their loyalty. Conversion often came with the promise of positions of power and influence within the Ottoman administration.

While specific details of his life after conversion are scarce, it is believed he served in some capacity within the Ottoman Empire. The conversion of Bulgarian nobles significantly impacted the socio-political landscape of the region, as it facilitated the gradual erosion of Bulgarian identity and institutions under Ottoman rule. The details of his descendants, if any, remain largely unknown, contributing to the overall lack of comprehensive information about his life and impact. The degree to which his conversion was genuine or coerced also remains a matter of historical debate.