List of Georgians

This is a list of notable Georgians.

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

Historical figures

Leaders and 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), 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

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; 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
• 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
• 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)
• 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 and 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

• Parsadan Gorgijanidze (1626-c.1696), historian and factotum
• Ilia Abuladze (1901–1968), philologist
• Malkhaz Abdushelishvili (1926–1998), anthropologist
• 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), physiologist
• 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 Dogonadze (1931–1985), physicist
• Revaz Gabashvili (1878–1959), historian
• Tamaz Gamkrelidze (1928-), linguist, President of the Academy of Sciences
• 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 (USA)
• 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
• 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

• Leila Abashidze
• Veriko Anjaparidze
• Medea Chakhava
• Sofiko Chiaureli
• Ramaz Chkhikvadze
• Kakhi Kavsadze
• Vakhtang Kikabidze
• Zurab Kipshidze
• Otar Koberidze
• Avtandil Makharadze
• Kote Makharadze
• Merab Ninidze
• Guram Sagaradze
• Karlo Sakandelidze
• Nato Vachnadze
• Bukhuti Zakariadze
• Sergo Zakariadze

Ballet dancers

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

Composers

• Dimitri Arakishvili
• Andria Balanchivadze
• Meliton Balanchivadze
• Alexandre Basilaia
• Alexander Borodin (1834-1887) (ethnic Georgian) (Russia)
• Otar Gordeli
• Vakhtang Kakhidze
• Giya Kancheli (1935- ), composer
• Bidzina Kvernadze
• Zurab Nadarejshvili
• Zakharia Paliashvili
• Otar Taktakishvili
• Sulkhan Tsintsadze
• Zakaria Paliashvili

Conductors

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

Folk musicians

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

Filmmakers

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

Opera singers

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

Painters

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

Pianists

• Tengiz Amirejibi
• Eteri Andjaparidze
• Khatia Buniatishvili
• Marina Goglidze-Mdivani
• Inga Kashakashvili
• Alexander Korsantia
• Giorgi Latso
• Tamriko Siprashvili
• Irma Svanadze
• Alexander Toradze (1951- ) (USA)
• Eliso Virsaladze

Poets

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

Sculptors

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

Singers

• Hamlet Gonashvily
• Nino Katamadze
• David "Dato" Khujadze
• Katie Melua (United Kingdom)
• Nina Sublatti

Theatre producers

• David Doiashvili
• Keti Dolidze
• Guranda Iashvili
• Kote Marjanishvili
• Robert Sturua

Writers

• Kita Abashidze, literary critic
• Boris Akunin, (Grigory Chkhartishvili) writer
• Chabua Amirejibi
• Lado Asatiani (1917–1942), poet
• Vasil Barnovi
• Mirza Kalich Beg
• Saint Ilia the Righteous (Ilia Chavchavadze) (1837–1907), poet and writer
• Otar Chiladze
• Tamaz Chiladze
• Daniel Chonkadze
• Shalva Dadiani
• Guram Dochanashvili
• Konstantine Gamsakhurdia
• Iakob Gogebashvili
• Levan Gotua
• Mikheil Javakhishvili
• Aleksandre Kazbegi
• 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)
• Roman Dzindzichashvili (1944- ), US Chess Champion (1983 and 1989)
• Nona Gaprindashvili (1941- ), Women's World Champion in chess (1962–1978)
• Kakhaber Kaladze (1978- ), footballer, Genoa and Georgia national team
• Temuri Ketsbaia (1968- ), former footballer, notably for Newcastle United F.C. and Georgia national team
• Kakhi Kakhiashvili
• Georgi Kinkladze (1973-), former footballer
• Kokkai Futoshi (Levan Tsaguria) (1981- ), Sumo wrestler
• ka, (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
• Dimitri Yachvili (1980- ), French former rugby union footballer

Businesspeople

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

Other known Georgians

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

See also: List of people by nationality

External links

• Dictionary of Georgian National Biography