List of Georgians

Georgians ქართველები
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History of Georgia

This is a list of notable Georgians.

This is an incomplete list that may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by expanding it with reliably sourced entries.

Historical figures

Leaders & politicians

Vakhtang I of Iberia Vakhtang Gorgasali, King of Iberia in 447/449-502/522
David the Builder (1073–1125), King of Georgia in 1089-1125
Tamar The Great, (1160–1213), king of Georgia in 1184-1207/1213
George V The Brilliant, King of Georgia(1299–1302)and (1314–1346)
Zviad Gamsakhurdia (1939–1993), the president of Georgia (1991–1992)
Noe Zhordania (1868–1953), President of Georgia in 1918-1921
Eduard Shevardnadze (1927-2014), Foreign Minister of USSR and President of Georgia
Joseph Stalin (1878–1953) Bolshevik revolutionary and second leader of the Soviet Union
Salome Zourabichvili Foreign Minister of Georgia and French diplomate

Military figures

See also: Georgians in Iran and Georgian emigration in Poland

Throughout history, there were many notorious Georgian military figures and commanders serving in the Georgian, Turkish, Iranian, Spanish, Russian, Polish and other country's military forces from BC till today. There were around 100 high-ranking officers serving in the Polish army during World War II alone. Most prominent figures served in Russian, US and Persian armies.

Grigol Bakurianis-dze (11th century), general in the Byzantine service
Giorgi Saakadze (1570–1629) Georgian, Safavid and Ottoman military commander who won many battles against Muslim coalition forces and also battles for the Ottoman and Safavid Empire. Notorious for annihilating an Iranian army at the Battle of Martqopi in 1625 almost without own losses.
Allahverdi Khan (ca. 1560 – June 3, 1613) Iranian general and statesman of Georgian origin who rose to high office in the Safavid state.
Imam-Quli Khan Iranian military and political leader of Georgian origin who served as a governor of Fars, Lar and Bahrain for the shahs Abbas I and Safi.
Daud Khan Undiladze Iranian military commander and politician of Georgian origin who served as governor (beglarbeg) of Ganja and Karabakh from 1625 to 1630.
Rostom-Khan Saakadze (c. 1588 – 1 March 1643) Iranian Safavid military commander (sipah-salar) of Georgian origin
Prince Alexander of Imereti (1674–1711) Georgian prince and commander of the artillery of the Russian Empire under Peter I.
Yusef Khan-e Gorji, Iranian military leader of Georgian origin
Pyotr Bagration (1765–1812), one of the most prominent generals in Russian military history and most respected opponent of Napoleon. The soviet counterattack against German forces in World War II was named after him, Operation Bagration.
Alexandre Bagrationi (1770–1844) Gergian prince and resistance fighter
Ivane Bagration of Mukhrani (1812–1895) major general of the Russian Empire and revolutioner of wine industry.
Ivane Amilakhvari (1829–1905) general of the Russian Empire and distinguished commander during the Crimean War and Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878)
Alexander Imeretinsky (1837–1900) Georgian-Russian prince, lieutenant general and hero of the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878). In 1897 he became governor-general of Warsaw.
Ivane Kazbegi (1860–1943) major-general of the Russian Empire, then major general of the Polish Army and strategist at the Polish Academy of Defence.
Konstantin Davidovich Cheidze major general of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan
Vasili Dmitrievich Kargaleteli major general of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan
knyaz Abel Gavrilovich Makayev Georgian prince and major general of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan
Aleksandr Mihaylovich Pursalidze major general of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan
Zahar Vasilyevich Amashukeli major general of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan, commander of the Azeri First Army Division
Kote Abkhazi (1867–1923) general of the Russian Empire and Georgian resistance fighter
Zakaria Bakradze (1870–1938) brigadier general of the Polish army.
Giorgi Mazniashvili (1872–1937) general in Russian and Georgian service. Defeated three enemy armies invading Georgia.
Giorgi Kvinitadze (1874–1970) Russian general and later commander-in-chief of the Democratic Republic of Georgia during the Red Army invasion of Georgia.
Valiko Jugheli (1887–1924) Georgian general and resistance fighter
Joseph Stalin (1878–1953) leader of the Soviet Union.
Leo Kereselidze (1878–1942)
Alexandre Chkheidze (1878–1940) general of the Polish army.
Kaikhosro (Kakutsa) Cholokashvili (1888–1930), Georgian resistance fighter
Shalva Maglakelidze (1893–1976) Georgian general and later in charge of the German Georgian Legion of (1941–1945)
Alexander Sumbatashvili (? - 1941) General and chief of staff of the Polish army.
Valerian Tevzadze (1894–1987) colonel of the Polish army and resistance fighter in World War II, later against the soviet rule until his death in 1987
Lavrentiy Beria (1899–1953) Marshal of the Soviet Union and main ideologist and architect, as well as chief of the soviet secret police, NKVD
Konstantin Leselidze (1903–1944) colonel general of the soviet union, commander of the Caucasus front and hero of the soviet union
Dimitri Amilakhvari (1906–1942) colonel of the French Foreign Legion, fighting on almost every important spot during the war, hero of France and iconic figure of the French resistance during World War II.
Vladimir Janjgava (1907-1982) lieutenant general and hero of the soviet union
Alexi Inauri (1908–1993) colonel general and hero of the soviet union
Vasilij Shalvovich Kvachantiradze (1907–1950) soviet sniper who scored 215-500 kills, hero of the Soviet Union
Yaroslav Iosseliani (1912–1978) submarine commander, hero of the Soviet Union
Archil Gelovani (1915-1978) Marshal of the Soviet Union
Jerzy Tumaniszwili (1916–2010) counter admiral of the polish navy
Noe Adamia (1914-1942) Soviet sniper, hero of the Soviet Union
Meliton Kantaria (1920–1993) sergeant of the Red Army who raised the Soviet victory banner over the Reichstag in Berlin, April 30, 1945
Geno Adamia (1936–1993) Georgian major general and garrison commander of Sukhumi. Executed with the entire garrison and extermination of the city's population by Abkhazian militia during the Sukhumi massacre.
John Shalikashvili (Poland, 1936–2011) general of the United States, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and supreme commander of NATO forces in Europe. Partially solved Kurdish conflict on the Iraqi-Turkish border saving around 500.000 Kurdish people being displaced. Developed the Joint Vision 10 plan, a template which combined all elements of the United States armed forces to one efficient network of the different combat components.

Religious figures

Peter the Iberian (411-491), bishop & philosopher
Antim Iverianul (Antimoz Iverieli) (1650–1716), Metropolitan of Romania
Ambrosi (1866–1927), Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia in 1921-1927
Grigol Peradze (1899–1942), Archimandrite, historian (Poland)
Elie Melia (1915–1988), Orthodox priest and church historian
Ilia II (1932- ), Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia since 1977

Academic figures

Givi Maisuradze (1934–), geologist
Malkhaz Abdushelishvili (1926–1998), anthropologist
Ilia Abuladze (1901–1968), philologist
Giuli Alasania (1946-), historian
Andria Apakidze (1914–2005), archaeologist
Zurab Avalishvili (1876–1944), International Law and history
Teimuraz Bagrationi (1782–1846), historian and philologist
Vakhushti Bagrationi (1696–1757), historian and geographer
Dimitri Bakradze (1826–1890), historian
Ivan Beritashvili (1884–1974), physiologists
Arnold Chikobava (1898–1985), linguist
Levan Chilashvili (1930–2004), archaeologist
Giorgi Chubinashvili (1885–1973), art historian
Gia Dvali (1964-), physicist
Guranda Gvaladze (1932-), Botanist
Solomon Dodashvili (1805–1836), philosopher
Revaz Gabashvili (1878–1959), historian
Tamaz Gamkrelidze (1928-), linguist, President of the Academy of Sciences
Revaz Dogonadze (1931–1985), physicist
Pavle Ingorokva (1893–1990), historian and philologist
Simon Janashia (1900–1947), historian
Nikoloz Janashia (1931–1982), historian
Ivane Javakhishvili (1876–1940), historian
Joseph Jordania (1954-), Ethnomusicologist and evolutionary musicologist (Australia)
Alexander Kartveli (1896–1974), aircraft engineer (USA)
Giorgi Kartvelishvili (1827–1901), Public figure, benefactor
Sargis Kakabadze (1886–1967), historian
Simon Kaukhchishvili (1895–1981), historian and philologist
David Lordkipanidze (1963-), anthropologist
Merab Mamardashvili (1930–1990), philosopher
Guram Mchedlidze (1931-), biologist
Roin Metreveli (1939 -), Historian
Nikoloz Muskhelishvili (1890–1978), mathematician
Alexander Nadiradze (1914-1987), missile engineer (USSR)
Shalva Nutsubidze (1888–1969), philosopher
Vladimer Papava (1955-), economist
Mikhail Sabinin (1845–1900), historian
Akaki Shanidze (1887–1987), linguist and philologist
Ekvtime Takaishvili (1863–1953), historian and archaeologist
Giorgi Tsereteli (1904–1973), linguist
Grigol Tsereteli (1870–1938), philologist
Mikheil Tsereteli (1878–1965), sumerologist
Vasil Tsereteli (1862–1937), physician and public benefactor
Dimitri Uznadze (1886–1950), psychologist and philosopher
Ilia Vekua (1907–1977), mathematician

Cultural figures

Actors

Ballet dancers

Nino Ananiashvili
George Balanchine
Vakhtang Chabukiani
Irma Nioradze
Nikolai Tsiskaridze
Tamar Tumanishvili

Composers

Conductors

Folk musicians

Hamlet Gonashvili
Ensemble Georgika
Ensemble Rustavi
Ensemble Erisioni
Sukhishvili National Ballet

Filmmakers

Dodo Abashidze
Tengiz Abuladze
Mikheil Chiaureli
Goderdzi Chokheli
Georgi Daneliya
Mikhail Kalatozov (Mikheil Kalatozishvili)
Otar Ioseliani
Eldar Shengelaia
Marlen Khutsiev (Khutsishvili)
Giorgi Tsintsadze
Temur Babluani
Rati Tsiteladze
Beso Turazashvili

Opera singers

Painters

Pianists

Poets

Sculptors

Singers

Hamlet Gonashvily

Theatre producers

Writers

Janri Kachia
Boris Akunin, (Grigory Chkhartishvili) writer
Chabua Amirejibi
Aleksandre Kazbegi
Kita Abashidze, literary critic
Mirza Kalich Beg
Lado Asatiani (1917–1942), poet
Vasil Barnovi (Barnaveli)
Saint Ilia the Righteous (Ilia Chavchavadze) (1837–1907), poet and writer
Otar Chiladze
Tamaz Chiladze
Daniel Chonkadze
Iakob Gogebashvili
Konstantine Gamsakhurdia
Levan Gotua
Shalva Dadiani
Guram Dochanashvili
Levan Gotua
Mikheil Javakhishvili
Leo Kiacheli
David Kldiashvili
Richard Kriheli
Mukhran Machavariani (1929- ), poet
Aka Morchiladze
George Papashvily
Vazha-Pshavela (Luka Razikashvili) (1862–1915), poet and writer
Guram Rcheulishvili
Grigol Robakidze
Shota Rustaveli (12th century), poet
Galaktion Tabidze (1891–1953), poet
David Turashvili

Sportsmen

Shota Arveladze (1973- ), former footballer
Zurab Azmaiparashvili (1960- ), Chess Grandmaster
Maia Chiburdanidze (1961- ), Women's World Champion in chess (1978–1991)
Nona Gaprindashvili (1941- ), Women's World Champion in chess (1962–1978)
Roman Dzindzichashvili (1944- ), US Chess Champion (1983 and 1989)
Kakhaber Kaladze (1978- ), footballer, Genoa and Georgia national team
Temuri Ketsbaia (1968- ), former footballer, notably for Newcastle United F.C. and Georgia national team
Georgi Kinkladze (1973-), former footballer
Kokkai (Levan Tsaguria) (1981- ), Sumo wrestler
Archil Mdivani , (1911-1937), tennis player
Mevlud Meladze (1972-), Formula Alfa champion
Natalia Nasaridze (1972-), champion archer
Zaza Pachulia (1984- ), NBA basketball player
Nikoloz Tskitishvili (1983- ), NBA basketball player
Kakhi Kakhiashvili
Dimitri Yachvili (1980- ), French former rugby union footballer

Businesspeople

Badri Patarkatsishvili (1956–2008), Georgian business oligarch, the richest Georgian businessman, 2008 Georgian presidential candidate
Levan Gachechiladze (1964-), founder of Georgian Wine Company (GWC), 2008 Georgian presidential candidate
David Gamkrelidze (1964-), founder of Aldagi Insurance Company, Member of Parliament
Bidzina (Boris) Ivanishvili
Kakha Bendukidze (1956 – 2014),Georgian statesman, businessman and philanthropist

Other known Georgians

Antoin Sevruguin (1830-1933), Georgian photographer in Iran during the reign of the Qajar dynasty
Razhden Arsenidze (1880–1965), jurist, journalist, and politician
Lela Tsurtsumia (1968- ), famous Georgian singer
Sopho Khalvashi, (1986-), songstress
Zviad Kvachantiradze(1965-), former Secretary General of TRACECA, Ambassador,
The Mdivani family, aznauri, or minor nobility
Vasily Sopromadze (1963- ), notable property developer in Russia
Rati Tsiteladze, Martial artist, actor and director.

See also: List of people by nationality

External links

Dictionary of Georgian National Biography