Lykourgos Logothetis, the Greek War of Independence hero from Samos

From the island of Samos, Lykourgos Logothetis (1772 - May 25, 1850) was the political and military leader of Samos during the Greek Revolution against the Ottoman Empire that began in 1821.

Son of a businessman, involved in the carpet and rug trade, Lykourgos Logothetis completed his early studies on his home island, before going to Constantinople to complete further studies.

After completing his studies and working for the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, he was then appointed to positions in Moldavia and Wallachia.

This was mainly as a secretary and advisor to two prominent Greek leaders of the regions, Alexandros Soutzos and Konstantinos Ypsilantis, who’s sons Alexandros and Dimitrios would be two future heroes of Greece.

By the 1810’s, he would arrive and leave again and again from Samos, rivalries and disputes between ruling Greek families of the island and his perceived loyalty to one over the other saw him land in Smyrni by 1818, where he worked as a chemist.

At the outbreak of the Greek Revolution of 1821, Lykourgos Logothetis returned to Samos and became the leader of the island’s revolt against the Turks, he would remain in that role until 1833.

He would serve in various political roles following the Revolution, but never lived to see Samos liberated, as it would remain under Ottoman control following the Revolution.

He dies in Athens in 1850.

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