Spyridon Simos (1868-1935)

Spyridon Simos was a prominent figure in the political and journalistic scene of early 20th-century Greece. Born in 1868 in Lavdani, Epirus, he began his professional career as a journalist and publisher of the newspaper Patris in Bucharest, Romania, through which he promoted his liberal ideas. In 1910, he was elected for the first time as Member of Parliament for Arta with the Liberal Party, launching a long political career that lasted until 1933. During this time, he served eight parliamentary terms, representing both Arta and Ioannina. The most significant office he held was that of Minister for the Relief of Conscripts’ and Refugees’ Families, a position he occupied between 1916 and 1920 in the Governments of National Defence and of Eleftherios Venizelos. Simos was a tireless opponent of corruption and clientelism, which plagued Greek political life at the time. In his book Logoi kai Erga ("Words and Deeds"), published in 1912, he strongly condemned the unethical practice of vote-buying by wealthy parliamentary candidates. His long and successful career was abruptly cut short by his death in Athens on February 14, 1935. Pictured: Letter from the Board of Directors of the Iraklis Gymnastics Club of Thessaloniki, dated April 8, 1917, addressed to Spyridon Simos, Minister of Relief in the Government of National Defence. ©Iraklis New Gymnastics Club of Thessaloniki 1908.