Alexandros Diomedes

Alexandros Diomedes (Greek - Αλέξανδρος Διομήδης) was a former governor of the Central Bank of Greece who became Prime Minister upon the death of Themistoklis Sofoulis.

Diomedes was born in Athens on January 3, 1875 (December 22, 1874 OS), the grandson of former Prime Minister Diomidis Kiriakos. He studied law and economics in Weimar and Paris and taught at the University of Berlin. In 1905, he became a professor at the University of Athens.

Diomedes was appointed prefect ("nomarch") of Attica-Boeotia in 1909. In 1910, he was elected to Parliament under the banner of the Liberal Party. In 1912-1915 and again in 1922 he served as Minister of Finance.

Diomedes became Governor of the National Bank in 1923 and Governor of the Central Bank of Greece in 1927.

He became Prime Minister upon the death of Sofoulis. It was during his term in office (June 28, 1949 - Jan. 6, 1950) that the Hellenic Civil War was concluded.

Diomedes was forced to resign amid a scandal involving his Minister of Transportation, Hadjipanos. He died later in that same year (November 11, 1950).

Besides being an economist and politician, Diomedes also authored several literary works, including a two-volume work on Byzantine Empire studies. He was admitted to the Academy of Athens in 1945.

Preceded by: Themistoklis Sofoulis

Prime Minister of Greece Jun. 28, 1949 - Jan. 6, 1950

Succeeded by: Ioannis Theotokis