List of Georgians

This is a list of notable Georgians.

Leaders and politicians[edit]

Pharnavaz I of Iberia, Pharnavaz I, King of Iberia from 302–237
Vakhtang I of Iberia, Vakhtang Gorgasali, King of Iberia from 447/449–502/522
David the Builder (1073–1125), King of Georgia from 1089–1125
Tamar The Great (1160–1213), Queen of Georgia from 1184–1207/1213
George V The Brilliant, King of Georgia from 1299–1302 and 1314–1346
Heraclius II, King of Kartli-Karheti from 1762–1798
Joseph Stalin, Soviet politician from 1922-1952
Zviad Gamsakhurdia (1939–1993), first President of Republic of Georgia from 1991–1992
Eduard Shevardnadze (1927–2014), Foreign Minister of USSR and second President of Republic of Georgia
Mikheil Saakashvili (2004–2013), third president of Georgia

Parliamentarians[edit]

Mamuka Chikovani (2016–Present), Member of the United National Movement

Military figures[edit]

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.

(Incomplete list, see above categories for more)

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; governor (beglarbeg) of Ganja and Karabakh 1625–1630
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), Georgian prince and resistance fighter
Roman Bagration (1778–1834), prominent general of the Imperial Russian army, distinguished commander in the Russo-Persian Wars and Napoleonic Wars
Ivane Bagration of Mukhrani (1812–1895), major general of the Russian Empire; revolutionizer of the wine industry
Ivane Amilakhvari (1829–1905), general of the Russian Empire and distinguished commander during the Crimean War and Russo-Turkish War
Alexander Imeretinsky (1837–1900), Georgian-Russian prince; lieutenant general and hero of the Russo-Turkish War; became governor-general of Warsaw in 1897
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
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
Joseph Stalin (1878–1953), leader of the Soviet Union
Leo Kereselidze (1878–1942)
Alexandre Chkheidze (1878–1940), general of the Polish army
Valiko Jugheli (1887–1924), Georgian general and resistance fighter
Kaikhosro (Kakutsa) Cholokashvili (1888–1930), Georgian resistance fighter
Konstantin Mikeladze (1895–1935), commander in the Iranian army
Grigor Mikeladze (1898–1955), first lieutenant in the Iranian army
Shalva Maglakelidze (1893–1976), Georgian general and later in charge of the German Georgian Legion of (1941–1945)
Pore Mosulishvili (1916 – 1944), Soviet soldier and partisan in the Italian resistance movement
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 engineer troops
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 leaders[edit]

Patriarch Antonius II of Georgia

Ilia II

Saint Nino (c. 296 – c. 338 or 340), a woman from Cappadocia, heavily involved in the Christianization of Iberia
Thirteen Assyrian Fathers, among them Abibos of Nekresi, Assyrian missionaries, said to have arrived from Mesopotamia in the 6th century.
Gregory of Khandzta (759 - 861), a prominent ecclesiastic figure, active in Tao-Klarjeti
George of Chqondidi (died c. 1118), a churchman and court minister, advisor to David IV of Georgia
Arsen of Iqalto (died c. 1127), a prominent churchman and scholar
Antim Iverianul (Antimoz Iverieli) (1650–1716), Metropolitan of Romania
Nikoloz Cholokashvili (Niceforo Irbachi) (1585–1658), Orthodox priest
Eudemus I of Georgia (d. 1642), churchman serving as Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia from 1632 until his death in 1642.
Anton II of Georgia (1762 or 1763 – 1827), member of the Bagrationi Dynasty and Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia from (1788 to 1811)
Dositheus of Tbilisi (d. 1975), Archbishop of Tbilisi and a martyr
Peter Kharischirashvili (1804/05–1890), Catholic monk
Shio Batmanishvili (1885–1937), Catholic priest and martyr
Michel Tamarati (1858–1911), Catholic priest
Ambrosius (1861–1927), Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia from 1921–1927
Grigol Peradze (1899–1942), Archimandrite, historian (Poland)
Elie Melia (1915–1988), Orthodox priest and church historian
Gabriel (1929–1995), Orthodox monk, venerated as Saint Gabriel, Confessor and Fool for Christ
Ilia II (1932– ), Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia since 1977

Scholars[edit]

Medieval[edit]

Fragment from Vani Gospels by certain John the Unworthy, 12-13th century.

Teimuraz son of George XII, he tutored Georgian scholars such as Platon Ioseliani and David Chubinashvili

Peter the Iberian (c. 417 – 491), theologian and philosopher, one of the founders of Christian Neoplatonism
Martviri Sabatsmindeli 6th century, monk, calligrapher and writer at Mar Saba; foreman of Sabbas the Sanctified
Basili Sabatsmindeli 8th century, monk, calligrapher and writer at Mar Saba
Makari of Leteti 9th century, calligrapher and scholar at Mar Saba
Mikaeli 9th century, calligrapher; known for Adysh Gospels
Euthymius the Athonite (c. 955–1024), monk, philosopher and scholar
Gabrieli 10th century, calligrapher
Mikael Modrekili 10th century, calligrapher, poet, writer and scholar; best known for Iadgari of Mikael Modrekili
Ioane Berai 10th century, calligrapher
John Zosimus 10th century, monk, religious writer, and calligrapher; best known for his hymn "Praise and Exaltation of the Georgian Language."
Gabriel Patarai 10th century, calligrapher
George the Hagiorite (1009–1065), monk, calligrapher and scholar at the Iviron Monastery
Ioane Mesvete 11th century, calligrapher
Mikael Mtserali 11th century, calligrapher
Arsen Ninotsmindeli 11th century, bishop, scholar, translator and calligrapher at the Iviron Monastery
Leonti Mroveli 11th century, chronicler, contributor to the The Georgian Chronicles
Juansher Juansheriani 11th century, historian, contributor to the The Georgian Chronicles
Sumbat Davitis Dze 11th century, chronicler, contributor to The Georgian Chronicles
Ephrem Mtsire 11-12th century, monk, theologian and translator
Ioane Petritsi 11-12th century, Neoplatonist philosopher and translator
Tbeli Abuserisdze (c. 1190 – 1240), scholard and religious writer
Giorgi Dodisi 12th century, calligrapher at the Monastery of the Cross
Nikrai 12-13th century, calligrapher
Avgaroz Bandaisdze 14th century, calligrapher and painter
Parsadan Gorgijanidze (1626 – c. 1696), historian and factotum
Vakhushti Bagrationi (1696–1757), historian and geographer
Mamuka Tavakalashvili 17th century, calligrapher, painter and poet
David the Rector (1745–1824)), pedagogue and calligrapher
Teimuraz Bagrationi (1782–1846), historian and philologist

Modern[edit]

Ivane Javakishvili, a Georgian historian and a linguist whose voluminous works heavily influenced the modern scholarship of the history and culture of Georgia and Caucasus. He was also one of the founding fathers of the Tbilisi State University

Platon Ioseliani (1810–1875), historian and civil servant
David Chubinashvili (1814–1891), lexicographer, linguist, scholar of old Georgian literature.
Mikhail Sabinin (1845–1900), monk and historian
Nikolai Marr (1864–1934), historian and linguist; known for the pseudo-scientific Japhetic theory
Kita Chkhenkeli (1865–1963), linguist and lexicographer
Nikoloz Muskhelishvili (1891–1976), mathematician, physicist and engineer
Michael Gregor (1888–1953), aircraft engineer
Ilia Abuladze (1901–1968), philologist
Georgy Beriev (1903–1979), Soviet major general, engineer, founder of the Beriev Aircraft Company
Wachtang Djobadze (1917–2007), professor and art historian
Malkhaz Abdushelishvili (1926–1998), anthropologist
Hélène Carrère d'Encausse (1927-), political historian, Perpetual Secretary of the Académie Française
David Devdariani (1927–2006), professor of Jurisprudence
Georges Charachidzé (1930–2010), scholar of Caucasian Studies
Gaston Bouatchidzé (1935-), professor, translator and writer
Giuli Alasania (1946– ), historian
Andria Apakidze (1914–2005), archaeologist
Tornike Gordadze (1975-), political scientist
Manana Kochladze (1972-), biologist and environmentalist
François Zourabichvili (1965–2006), philosopher
Zurab Avalishvili (1876–1944), international law and history
Dimitri Bakradze (1826–1890), historian
Ivan Beritashvili (1884–1974), physiologist
Levan Chilashvili (1930–2004), archaeologist
Alexander Nikuradse (1900–1981), physicist and Nazi political scientist
Johann Nikuradse (1894–1979), engineer and physicist
Michael Achmeteli (1895–1963), agronomist, sometime chief of the Wannsee Institut
Juansher Chkareuli (1940– ), physicist
Giorgi Chubinashvili (1885–1973), art historian
Gia Dvali (1964– ), physicist
Solomon Dodashvili (1805–1836), philosopher
Revaz Dogonadze (1931–1985), physicist
Revaz Gabashvili (1878–1959), historian
Tamaz Gamkrelidze (1928–), linguist, President of the Academy of Sciences
Vladimir Gigauri (1934–2006), scientist
Olga Guramishvili-Nikoladze (1855–1940), educator
Guranda Gvaladze (1932– ), botanist
Pavle Ingorokva (1893–1990), historian and philologist
Nikoloz Janashia (1931–1982), historian
Simon Janashia (1900–1947), historian
Ivane Javakhishvili (1876–1940), historian
Joseph Jordania (1954– ), ethnomusicologist and evolutionary musicologist (Australia)
Sargis Kakabadze (1886–1967), historian
Alexander Kartveli (1896–1974), aircraft engineer (United States)
Giorgi Kartvelishvili (1827–1901), public figure, benefactor
Simon Kaukhchishvili (1895–1981), historian and philologist
David Lordkipanidze (1963– ), anthropologist
Givi Maisuradze (1934– ), geologist
Merab Mamardashvili (1930–1990), philosopher
Guram Mchedlidze (1931– ), biologist
Giorgi Melikishvili (1918–2002), historian
Roin Metreveli (1939– ), historian
Alexander Nadiradze (1914–1987), missile engineer (USSR)
Shalva Nutsubidze (1888–1969), philosopher
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[edit]

Actors[edit]

Architects[edit]

Artists[edit]

Ballet dancers[edit]

Nino Ananiashvili
George Balanchine (1904–1983), US choreographer; founder of school of American ballet
Vakhtang Chabukiani
Irma Nioradze
Nikolai Tsiskaridze

Composers[edit]

Conductors[edit]

Designers[edit]

Folk musicians[edit]

Filmmakers[edit]

Opera singers[edit]

Painters[edit]

David Kakabadze is widely considered to be the most important Georgian Avant-Garde painter. 'Self-portrait in the mirror.' 1913

Pianists[edit]

Poets[edit]

Photographers[edit]

Alexander Roinashvili (1846-1898)
Antoin Sevruguin (1830–1933)
Guram Tikanadze (1832-1863)
Irakly Shanidze (1868-)
David Meskhi (1979-)

Sculptors[edit]

Singers[edit]

Theatre producers[edit]

Kote Marjanishvili
Sandro Akhmeteli
Valerian Gunia
Revaz Gabriadze (1935-)
Robert Sturua
Andro Enukidze
Vakhtang Mchedelov
Mikheil Tumanishvili
Manana Anasashvili
Synetic Theater (Founded and ran by Paata and Irina Tsikurishvili)

Writers[edit]

Kita Abashidze, literary critic
Chabua Amirejibi
Lado Asatiani (1917–1942), poet
Ilia Chavchavadze (1837–1907), poet and writer
Otar Chiladze
Tamaz Chiladze
Daniel Chonkadze
Nino Dadeshkeliani (1890–1931), writer, politician
Shalva Dadiani
Guram Dochanashvili
Nodar Dumbadze
Konstantine Gamsakhurdia
Iakob Gogebashvili
Levan Gotua
Mikheil Javakhishvili
Aleksandre Kazbegi
Babilina Khositashvili (1884–1973), poet, feminist
Leo Kiacheli
David Kldiashvili
Mukhran Machavariani (1929– ), poet
Ekaterine Melikishvili (1854–1928), translator, feminist
Kato Mikeladze (1878–1942), journalist and feminist
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
Lasha Bughadze

Sportsmen[edit]

Shota Arveladze (1973– ), former footballer
Giorgi Asanidze (1975– ), Olympic and world champion weightlifter and politician
Zurab Azmaiparashvili (1960– ), Chess Grandmaster
Nikoloz Basilashvili (1992– ), ATP tennis player
Maia Chiburdanidze (1961– ), Women's World Champion in chess (1978–1991)
Roman Dzindzichashvili (1944– ), US Chess Champion (1983 and 1989)
Kokkai Futoshi (Levan Tsaguria) (1981– ), sumo wrestler
Nona Gaprindashvili (1941– ), Women's World Champion in chess (1962–1978)
Kakhi Kakhiashvili (1969– ), Olympic and world champion weightlifter
Kakhaber Kaladze (1978– ), footballer, Genoa and Georgia national team
Temuri Ketsbaia (1968– ), former footballer, notably for Newcastle United F.C. and Georgia national team
Mikhail Khergiani (1932-1969), champion mountaineer
Georgi Kinkladze (1973– ), former footballer
Gagamaru Masaru (Teimuraz Jugheli) (1987– ), sumo wrestler
Archil Mdivani [ka] (1911–1937), tennis player
Mevlud Meladze (1972– ), Formula Alfa champion
Natalia Nasaridze (1972– ), champion archer
Zaza Pachulia (1984– ), NBA basketball player
Roman Rurua (1942– ), wrestler
Lasha Talakhadze (1993– ), Olympic and world champion weightlifter
Gocha Tsitsiashvili (1973– ), Israeli Olympic wrestler
Nikoloz Tskitishvili (1983– ), NBA basketball player
Tochinoshin Tsuyoshi (Levan Gorgadze) (1987– ), sumo wrestler
Dimitri Yachvili (1980– ), French former rugby union footballer
Valerian Zirakadze (1978– ), former footballer

Businesspeople[edit]

Sila Zandukeli-Sandunov

Sila Zandukeli-Sandunov (1756-1820), founder of the eponymous Sandunóvskie Baths
David Sarajishvili (1848 - 1911), entrepreneur, philanthropist and scientist. Founder of Kizlyar Brandy Factory
George Coby (1883-1967)
Alex d'Arbeloff (1927-2008),co-founder of Teradyne
Kakha Bendukidze (1956–2014), statesman, businessman and philanthropist
Levan Gachechiladze (1964– ), founder of Georgian Wine Company, 2008 Georgian presidential candidate
Tamir Sapir (1946/1947 - 2014),
David Gamkrelidze (1964– ), founder of Aldagi Insurance Company;Former Member of Parliament
Bidzina (Boris) Ivanishvili (1956-), politician, billionaire, businessman and philanthropist; Prime Minister of Georgia from October 2012 to November 2013.
Badri Patarkatsishvili (1956–2008), business oligarch; richest Georgian businessman; 2008 Georgian presidential candidate
Mamuka Khazaradze (1966-), businessman and politician, founder of TBC Bank
David Nikuradze (1975-), journalist
George Arison, (1977-) founder and CEO of Shift

Other known Georgians[edit]

Razhden Arsenidze (1880–1965), jurist, journalist, and politician
Sopho Khalvashi (1986– ), songstress
Nino Kipiani (1877–1920s), Georgian lawyer
Zviad Kvachantiradze (1965– ), former Secretary General of TRACECA, ambassador
The Mdivani family, aznauri, or minor nobility
Vasily Sopromadze (1963– ), property developer in Russia

External links[edit]

Dictionary of Georgian National Biography

Pharnavaz	Rhadamistus	Queen Zenobia	Pharasmanes the Valiant	Peter the Iberian
Vakhtang the Wolf Head	David III the Great	George of Athos	Empress Maria	David IV the Builder
Shota Rustaveli	Tamar the Great	Simon the Great	Ketevan the Martyr	Grand Mouravi
Anthim the Iberian	Vakhtang the Lawgiver	David Guramishvili	General Bagration	Nino of Mingrelia
Ilia Chavchavadze	Vazha Pshavela	Ekaterine Dadiani	Niko Pirosmani	Mary Eristavi
Konstantine Gamsakhurdia	George Balanchine	Patriarch Ilia II	Katie Melua	Khatia Buniatishvili

v t e Ethnic groups in Georgia
Kartvelian peoples	Georgians Lazs Mingrelians Svans
Ethnic minorities	Abkhazians Armenians Assyrians Azerbaijanis Qarapapaqs Bats Germans Greeks Pontic Greeks Kists Kurds Ossetians Russians
See Also: Ethnic minorities in Georgia

v t e Kartvelian peoples
Ethnic groups	Georgians Svans Mingrelians Laz people
Historical	Colchians Byzeres Drilae Machelones Macrones Marres Mossynoeci Phasians Sanni Tibareni Zydretae Iberians Gugars Saspers Taochoi Misimians