Dimitrios Voulgaris (Greek: Δημήτριος Βούλγαρης; 20 December 1802 – 10 January 1877)[1] was a Greek revolutionary fighter during the Greek War of Independence of 1821 who became a politician after independence. He was nicknamed "Tsoumpes" ("Τσουμπές") after the distinctive Ottoman-style robe he wore.

Dimitrios Voulgaris
Δημήτριος Βούλγαρης
Prime Minister of Greece
In office
29 September 1855 – 11 November 1857 (o.s.)
MonarchOtto I
Preceded byAlexandros Mavrokordatos
Succeeded byAthanasios Miaoulis
In office
25 October 1863 – 5 March 1864 (o.s.)
Monarchvacant
Preceded byGennaios Kolokotronis
Succeeded byAristeidis Moraitinis
In office
3 November 1865 (o.s.) – 6 November 1865
Preceded byEpameinondas Deligeorgis
Succeeded byAlexandros Koumoundouros
In office
9 June 1866 – 17 December 1866 (o.s.)
Preceded byBenizelos Roufos
Succeeded byAlexandros Koumoundouros
In office
25 January 1868 – 25 January 1869 (o.s.)
Preceded byAristeidis Moraitinis
Succeeded byThrasyvoulos Zaimis
In office
25 December 1871 – 8 July 1872 (o.s.)
Preceded byThrasyvoulos Zaimis
Succeeded byEpameinondas Deligeorgis
In office
9 February 1874 – 27 April 1875 (o.s.)
Preceded byEpameinondas Deligeorgis
Succeeded byCharilaos Trikoupis
Personal details
Born(1802-12-20)20 December 1802
Hydra, Ottoman Greece
Died10 January 1877(1877-01-10) (aged 74)
Athens, Kingdom of Greece
Signature
Military service
Allegiance
Branch/service Hellenic Navy
Battles/warsGreek War of Independence

Biography

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Voulgaris was an Arvanite,[2] born on 20 December 1802 on the island of Hydra in the Saronic Islands. When the War of Independence broke out, he participated in naval operations against the forces of the Ottoman Empire. After independence was achieved, Voulgaris became involved in politics as a bitter opponent of Governor Ioannis Kapodistrias.

In 1843, Voulgaris was appointed to the newly created Senate and in 1847, he became Minister for the Navy. He became the 11th 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 coup against Otto of Greece 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 the Athens daily "Times" ("Καιροί") concerning the waste and corruption of the government. After a strong public outcry, King George I dismissed Voulgaris. Many of his associates were indicted on a variety of charges and Voulgaris himself took ill and died in Athens on 10 January 1878.

References

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  1. ^ Note: Greece officially adopted the Gregorian calendar on 16 February 1923 (which became 1 March). All dates prior to that, unless specifically denoted, are Old Style.
  2. ^ Ι. Καργάκος, Σαράντος (1999). ΑΛΒΑΝΟΙ, ΑΡΒΑΝΙΤΕΣ, ΕΛΛΗΝΕΣ. Athens: Ι. ΣΙΔΕΡΗΣ. . Είναι ενδεικτικό ότι οι περισσότεροι στρατηγοί, ναύαρχοι και πρωθυπουργοί της Ελλάδος ήσαν Αρβανίτες (Δημ. Βούλγαρης, Μιαούληδες, Κουντουριώτηδες,..."
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Political offices
Preceded by Prime Minister of Greece
29 September 1855 - 13 November 1857
Succeeded by
Preceded by Prime Minister of Greece
25 October 1863 - 5 March 1864
Succeeded by
Preceded by Prime Minister of Greece
3 November 1865 - 6 November 1865
Succeeded by
Preceded by Prime Minister of Greece
9 June 1866 - 17 December 1866
Succeeded by
Preceded by Prime Minister of Greece
25 January 1868 - 25 January 1869
Succeeded by
Preceded by Prime Minister of Greece
25 December 1871 - 8 July 1872
Succeeded by
Preceded by Prime Minister of Greece
9 February 1874 - 27 April 1875
Succeeded by