List of Georgians (country)

The following is a partial list of outstanding people from Georgia, arranged chronologically within categories.

Historical figures

Leaders & politicians

• Lavrentiy Beria (1899–1953), First Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union in 1953
• David the Builder (1073–1125), King of Georgia in 1089-1125
• Tamar The Great, (1160–1213), Queen 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-), Foreign Minister of USSR and President of Georgia
• Joseph Stalin (1878–1953) leader of the Soviet Union

Military figures

( list incomplete )

See also: Georgians_in_Iran, Georgian_emigration_in_Poland, and Georgia_within_the_Russian_Empire

Throughout history, there were plenty of important Georgian military figures and commanders serving in the Georgian, Turkish, Iranian, 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 and Ottoman military commander who won many battles against Muslim coalition forces and also battles for the Ottoman Empire. Famous for annihilating an Iranian army at the Battle of Martqopi in 1625 almost without own losses.
• Prince Alexander of Imereti (1674–1711) Georgian prince and commander of the artillery of the Russian Empire under Peter I.
• 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. One of the most famous Georgian generals, who was able to once defeat 3 enemy armies invading Georgia, though not able to win the war.
• 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) generallisimus and leader of the soviet union, hero of the soviet union.
• Leo Kereselidze (1878–1942)
• Alexandre Chkheidze (1878–1940) general of the Polish army.
• Kaikhosro (Kakutsa) Cholokashvili (1888–1930), famous Georgian resistance fighter
• Shalva Maglakelidze (1893–1976) Georgian general and later in charge of the German Georgian Legion of (1941–1945)
• Valerian Tevzadze (1894–1987) colonel of the Polish army and famous 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.
• 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
• Jerzy Tumaniszwili (1916–2010) counter admiral of the polish navy
• 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

• 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
• 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
• 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

• Vakhtang Kikabidze
• Otar Koberidze
• Avtandil Makharadze
• Karlo Sakandelidze
• Nato Vachnadze
• Sergo Zakariadze
• Sofiko Chiaureli
• Kote Makharadze
• Medea Chakhava

Ballet dancers

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

Composers

• Bidzina Kvernadze
• Dimitri Arakishvili
• Andria Balanchivadze
• Meliton Balanchivadze
• Alexandre Basilaia*
• Alexander Borodin
• Otar Gordeli
• Gia Kancheli
• Zurab Nadarejshvili
• Zakharia Paliashvili
• Otar Taktakishvili
• Sulkhan Tsintsadze

Conductors

• Vakhtang Jordania
• Jansug Kakhidze
• Evgeni Mikeladze
• Jemal Gokieli

Folk musicians

• Hamlet Gonashvili
• Ensemble Georgika
• Ensemble Rustavi
• Ensemble Erisioni
• Sukhishvili National Ballet

Filmmakers

• Tengiz Abuladze
• Mikheil Chiaureli
• Goderdzi Chokheli
• Georgi Daneliya
• Mikhail Kalatozov (Mikheil Kalatozishvili)
• Otar Ioseliani
• Eldar Shengelaia
• Marlen Khutsiev (Khutsishvili)
• Giorgi Tsintsadze

Opera singers

• Natela Nicoli
• Paata Burchuladze
• Giorgi Danelia
• Makvala Kasrashvili
• Badri Maisuradze

Painters

• Elene Akhvlediani
• Gia Bugadze
• Gigo Gabashvili
• Lado Gudiashvili
• Gia Gugushvili
• David Kakabadze
• Shalva Kikodze
• Sergo Kobuladze
• Petre Otskheli
• Niko Pirosmani
• Radish Tordia

Pianists

• Eteri Andjaparidze
• Khatia Buniatishvili
• Marina Goglidze-Mdivani
• Inga Kashakashvili
• Alexander Korsantia
• Giorgi Latsabidze
• Irma Svanadze
• Alexander Toradze
• Eliso Virsaladze

Poets

• Shota Rustaveli
• Alexander Abasheli
• Irakli Abashidze
• Rati Amaglobeli
• Lado Asatiani
• Besiki
• Alexander Chavchavadze
• Ilia Chavchavadze
• Zviad Gamsakhurdia
• Valerian Gaprindashvili
• Terenti Graneli
• Ioseb Grishashvili
• David Guramishvili
• Paolo Iashvili
• Ana Kalandadze
• Giorgi Leonidze
• Mukhran Machavariani
• David Magradze
• Kolau Nadiradze
• Irakli Kakabadze
• Niko Nikoladze
• Vazha-Pshavela
• Galaktion Tabidze
• Titsian Tabidze
• Akaki Tsereteli
• Yetim Gurdji

Sculptors

• Iakob Nikoladze
• Irakli Ochiauri
• George Papashvily
• Zurab Tsereteli

Singers

• Katie Melua
• Nino Katamadze
• David "Dato" Khujadze
• Valery Meladze

Theatre producers

• Kote Marjanishvili
• Robert Sturua

Writers

• 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

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

Other known Georgians

• Lela Tsurtsumia (1968- ), famous Georgian singer
• 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
• Zviad Kvachantiradze(1965-), former Secretary General of TRACECA, Ambassador,
• Kokkai (Levan Tsaguria) (1981- ), Sumo wrestler
• The Mdivani family, aznauri, or minor nobility
• Nikoloz Tskitishvili (1983- ), NBA basketball player
• Zaza Pachulia (1984- ), NBA basketball player
• Sopho Khalvashi, (1986-), songstress
• Vasily Sopromadze (1963- ), notable property developer in Russia
• Natalia Nasaridze (1972-), champion archer

See also: List of people by nationality

External links

• Dictionary of Georgian National Biography