LEO (ARAKEL BABAKHANIAN) (Shushi 1860 – Yerevan 1935) Received patchy education, but read very widely; soon he started writing historical and political articles. LEO Wrote in Mshak from 1895; became its editor in 1918.
Opposed the policies and activities of Dashnaktsutiun and joined the Zhoghovrdakan party on its formation in 1917. An adviser to the Seim delegation in the Trebizond negotiations with the Turks in March 1918. President of the Karabagh Armenian Patriotic Association 1918–20. Welcomed the formation of the Armenian SSR. His Hayots Patmutiun (‘History of the Armenians’) is famous (vol. I, Tiflis, 1917; vols. II–III, Yerevan, 1946–7).