Spiridon Lampros

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Spiridon Lampros was a Greek educator, athletics official and, briefly, Prime Minister.

He was born in Corfu in 1851 and studied literature in Athens until 1871 when he left for Germany for post-graduate studies. He earned his doctorate at the University of Leipzig and returned to Greece where he taught at the University of Athens rising to the rank of full professor. Twice he served as Dean of the university while also becoming involved in athletics.

In 1897, he became President of Panellinios Gymnastic Club and helped in the establishment of Panhellenic Athletic games. He also became a member of the Olympic Committee that organised the 1906 Summer Olympics in Athens.

In October 1916, Lampros accepted the task of forming a government that, in effect, controlled only southern Greece, the National Defence government of Eleftherios Venizelos being firmly established in the north and in his native Crete. One month later, rioting broke out against Venizelos' supporters with several people injured and many properties damaged or destroyed. The French and English imposed a naval blocade against Greece eventually forcing Lampros to resign. Venizelos than returned to Athens and established control over all Greece.

Spiridon Lampros was tried and convicted of being responsible for the November 1916 riots. He was exiled first to Hydra, then to Skopelos. Lampros was allowed to return to Athens in July of 1919 as he had become seriously ill. He died that same month.


Preceded by:
Nikolaos Kalogeropoulos
Prime Minister of Greece
October 10, 1916 - February 5, 1917
Succeeded by:
Alexandros Zaimis