Voulgaris was an
Arvanite, 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==