Georgios Kountouriotis (1782 – March 13, 1858)

Georgios Kountouriotis (1782 – March 13, 1858)

From the island of Hydra, he came from a wealthy ship owning family. Georgios, was the wealthiest, he and his family played an integral role during the Greek War of Independence, he was also later a politician.

Georgios Kountouriotis, supported the Revolution with generous donations for arms and other military equipment, as well as donating his own ships for use in the cause.

From 1823 to 1826 Kountouriotis was President of the executive committee of the Greek Revolution, during the crucial time of the 3rd siege of Messolonghi.

After independence, he became a member of the cabinet of Ioannis Kapodistrias, the first modern Head of State of Greece. In 1848, he would himself become Prime Minister of Greece.

His grandson Pavlos Kountouriotis, went on to become Rear Admiral of the Greek Navy and a hero, during the successful Balkan Wars campaign (1912-13) and later he himself became President of Greece.