Dimitrios Voulgaris

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Dimitrios Voulgaris was a Greek revolutionary during the War of Independence of 1821 who turned politician after independence.

Voulgaris was born on December 20, 1802 on the island of Hydra. When the War of Independence broke out, he participated in naval operations against the Turks.

After independence was achieved, Voulgaris became involved in politics as a bitter opponent of Governor Ioannis Kapodistrias.

In 1843, Voulgaris was appointed to the Senate. In 1847, he became Minister for the Navy. He became Prime Minister for the first time in 1855 during the Crimean War. He was elected to the post again in elections marked by widespread corruption and fraud.

Voulgaris was involved in the ouster of King Otto in October 1862 and became Prime Minister once more. In total, he was Prime Minister eight times, however, his terms in office where characterised by corruption. Finally, in 1875, Charilaos Trikoupis published his famous article "Who is to blame?" ("Τις πταίει;") in Athens daily "Times" ("Καιροί") concerning the decadence of the government. After a strong public outcry, King George I dismissed Voulgaris. Many of his cronies were indicted on a variety of charges and Voulgaris himself took ill and died on January 10, 1878 (December 29, 1877 OS).


Preceded by:
Alexandros Mavrokordatos
Prime Minister of Greece
October 11, 1855 - Novenber 25, 1857
Succeeded by:
Athanasios Miaoulis
Preceded by:
Gennaios Kolokotronis
Prime Minister of Greece
October 23, 1862 - February 21, 1863
Succeeded by:
Aristidis Moraitinis
Preceded by:
Benizelos Rouphos
Prime Minister of Greece
November 6, 1863 - March 17, 1864
Succeeded by:
Konstantinos Kanaris
Preceded by:
Epameinontas Deligeorgis
Prime Minister of Greece
November 15, 1865 - November 18, 1865
Succeeded by:
Alexandros Koumoundouros
Preceded by:
Benizelos Rouphos
Prime Minister of Greece
June 21, 1866 - December 30, 1866
Succeeded by:
Alexandros Koumoundouros
Preceded by:
Aristidis Moraitinis
Prime Minister of Greece
February 6, 1868 - February 6, 1869
Succeeded by:
Thrasivoulos Zaimis
Preceded by:
Thrasivoulos Zaimis
Prime Minister of Greece
January 6, 1872 - July 20, 1872
Succeeded by:
Epameinontas Deligeorgis
Preceded by:
Epameinontas Deligeorgis
Prime Minister of Greece
February 21, 1874 - May 8, 1875
Succeeded by:
Charilaos Trikoupis