ALEXANDER I

KING ALEXANDER I OF GREECE

This collection offers a glimpse into the life of Alexander I of Greece, a young and reform-minded king whose brief reign marked a transformative yet turbulent period in Greek history. Featuring rare documents, decrees, edicts, manuscripts, cabinet cards, photos, and personal letters, this archive reflects the story of a monarch whose dedication to modernization and national progress left a lasting impact. For historians and enthusiasts of Greek history, these pieces reveal the challenges and achievements of Alexander I during a critical era for the Greek monarchy.

Ascending to the throne in 1917 during World War I, Alexander I ruled under the shadow of Allied occupation and political constraints. Known for his progressive views, he worked to modernize Greece’s infrastructure and supported the “Megali Idea,” a vision of territorial expansion to include Greek populations outside the kingdom. His reign, however, was tragically cut short when he died in 1920 following a severe infection from a monkey bite—a sudden and untimely death that shocked the nation and left Greece politically unstable.

Alexander I’s legacy endures as a symbol of youthful ambition and dedication to Greece’s modernization. His progressive outlook and determination to improve the nation’s standing resonate as key moments in Greek history, illustrating the aspirations and trials of a king committed to his people, despite the limitations imposed upon him.