Alexandros Mavrokordatos

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Alexandros Mavrokordatos was a Greek politician of the 19th Century.

Mavrokordatos was born into a noble Phanariot family on February 11, 1791, in Constantinople. He studied in Italy and served with his uncle in Wallachia in the service of the Ottoman Government.

He was in Pisa, Italy, when the Greek Revolution of 1821 broke out and sought to serve his country. His great learning, knowledge of foreign languages and diplomatic manners helped place him in leading roles in the Revolutionary government, however, his contempt for the illiterate soldiers and local leadership proved a drawback as he failed to use his influence to end the civil strife that threatened the gains of the war effort.

During the war, Mavrokordatos served as the first President of the Executive (January 1822 - May 1823). He spent part of that time in a military expedition to Epirus and western Central Greece. Though largely responsible for the failure of the Battle of Peta, Mavrokordatos was instrumental in the successful defence of Mesolonghi during the first siege of that city.

After independence, he served as ambassador and four times as Prime Minister. He died on August 18, 1865 on the island of Aigina where he had settled.


Preceded by:
Spiridon Trikoupis
Prime Minister of Greece
1833-1834
Succeeded by:
Ioannis Kolettis
Preceded by:
King Otto
Prime Minister of Greece
1841
Succeeded by:
King Otto
Preceded by:
Konstantinos Kanaris
Prime Minister of Greece
1844
Succeeded by:
Ioannis Kolettis
Preceded by:
Konstantinos Kanaris
Prime Minister of Greece
29 July 1854 - 11 October 1855
Succeeded by:
Dimitrios Voulgaris