Leonidas A. Empirikos (1869-1948)

Leonidas Empirikos, son of Andreas (1869-1948) was a significant figure in Greek shipping and politics during the 20th century. Born on Andros Island, he studied commercial sciences in Romania. Together with his brother Michael, he trained in the offices of his uncle, Alkiviadis Empirikos, a leading grain merchant and shipowner in the bustling Romanian grain port of Braila, on the banks of the Danube. He later founded the shipping company "Empirikos Brothers" in Syros with his brothers. In 1908, he became a co-founder of the National Steamship Company of Greece in Piraeus, contributing to the transition of the Andros shipping community from the era of sailing ships to steamships. Under the leadership of Leonidas and his brother Maris Empirikos, the company grew into one of the largest of its time, with a fleet consisting of cargo, passenger, and ocean liners. In 1916, he founded and became the first president of the Union of Greek Shipowners, and in 1921, he became the first president of the newly established Panhellenic Coastal Shipping Union. Alongside his business activities, he also pursued a political career, being repeatedly elected as a member of parliament for the Cyclades (in 1910, 1912, and 1915), and serving as Minister of Supplies in the Government of National Defense under Eleftherios Venizelos in Thessaloniki. Additionally, he was the president of the Board of Directors of the Bank of National Economy and is considered a pillar of the Greek shipping community in London. After World War II, Leonidas Empirikos settled in Paris, where he passed away in 1948. He was the father of the surrealist writer Andreas Empirikos. Pictured: letter from the Board of Directors of the Iraklis Gymnastic Club of Thessaloniki, dated April 8, 1917, addressed to the Minister of Supplies of the National Defense, Leonidas Empirikos. ©Iraklis New Gymnastics Club of Thessaloniki 1908.