Born in Athens, Lambros Koromilas (1856 - 1923) was an economist and diplomat who became one of the most important figures of the Macedonian Struggle (1904-08) when he was the Consul-General to Thessaloniki.
Thessaloniki at the time was still an Ottoman possession.
After completing his studies and working in his father’s publishing business, he participated in the Cretan Revolt (1895-98) and Greco-Turkish War (1897).
He then decided to dedicate himself to the Macedonian cause, learning Bulgarian and Turkish to prepare himself.
Koromilas was appointed Greek consul to Philippopolis (today, Plovdiv, Bulgaria) before transferring to the Greek consulate in Thessaloniki by 1904.
From here, he became an influential figure of the Macedonian Struggle.
Koromilas' work as the coordinator of the Greek armed bands across Macedonia saw him meet with the leaders and chieftains at the consulate building in secret, through a side door connected to a church.
These talks were to receive updates and talk strategy for disrupting Turkish and Bulgarian plans.
After learning what was going on, the Ottomans demanded Koromilas be removed from his post.
In 1906, Greece obliged as he was dismissed, only to be re-appointed Inspector-General of the Greek consulates in Macedonia, continuing to assist the Macedonian Revolutionaries in Liberating Macedonia.
Once again learning of his activities, the Turks threatened the life of Koromilas, and he was relieved of his post, finally recalled in late 1907.
Koromilas was then sent to the US as ambassador. While there, he successfully brought unity among the Greek immigrant organisations in the country.
In 1910, he was elected to the Greek Parliament, becoming Finance Minister. He was then appointed Foreign Minister during the Balkan Wars, witnessing the liberation and reunification of Macedonia with the rest of Greece.
The building which then housed the Greek Consulate of Thessaloniki and which was so pivotal for the Greek success in Macedonia, today is the home of the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle/Μουσείο Μακεδονικού Αγώνα.
