Mavrokordatos

Greek family, many of whose members held high office in the administration of the Ottoman Empire. Alexander Mavrokordatos (1791–1865) was one of the founders of the modern Greek state.

Alexander presided over the first Greek national assembly in 1821 and defended Mesolongion against the Turks 1821–22 during the War of Independence. He became minister of finance in 1832 and prime minister under King Otto in 1833. He was Greek ambassador at Berlin, London, and Constantinople, and in 1853 was recalled to office to re-establish friendly relations with Turkey during a period of crisis.

Alexander Mavrokordatos (c. 1636–1709), a doctor of philosophy and medicine, was influential at the court of Sultan Mustafa II. He negotiated the Peace of Carlowitz between the Ottoman Empire and Austria in 1699.

Nicholas Mavrokordatos (1670–1730), son of Alexander, was prince (hospodar) of Wallachia, and ruled the Danube principalities.