ku \/ ) ( January 15 1850 â `` June 15 1889 ) , born Mihail Eminovici , was a late Romantic poet , the best-known and most influential Romanian poet . Mihai Eminescu ( ; born Mihail Eminovici ; January 15 , 1850 -- June 15 , 1889 ) was a Romantic poet , novelist and journalist , often regarded as the most famous and influential Romanian poet .