Kitsos Tzavelas

Kitsos Tzavelas (Κίτσος Τζαβέλας, 1800–1855) was a Greek fighter in the Greek War of Independence and later Greek Army General and Prime Minister of Greece.

Early years and Greek War of Independence
Tzavelas was born in Souli, Epirus in 1800, the son of Fotos Tzavelas and grandson of Lambros Tzavelas, both of whom were famous for their roles in the Souliot struggles against Ali Pasha, the Pasha of Yanina. He grew up in exile in Kerkyra. He played a leading role in the Greek War of Independence in 1821, alongside Georgios Karaiskakis, distinguishing himself especially during the siege of Messolonghi. After the arrival in Greece of Ioannis Kapodistrias, during the latter part of the war, Tzavelas was responsible for liberating a large part of Central Greece. He was a long-time rival of fellow Souliot Markos Botsaris.

After Independence
After Independence, Tzavelas became a supporter of Kapodistrias and eventually a leader in the Russian Party which was the conservative and arch-Orthodox political faction in the period of King Otto. Accused of planning a revolt against the king in 1834, Tzavelas was imprisoned by the Regency Council head by von Armansperg along with other politicians of the Russian Party. When King Otto reached the age of majority and took over the reins of government, Tzavelas was released and later was named aide-de-camp to the king.

He was subsequently appointed Minister of War in 1844 and, in 1847-1848, Prime Minister. In February 1854 he became the leader of the Epirus revolt, with the revolutionaries demanding union with Greece. Kitsos Tzavelas died in Athens on March 21, 1855.