He is a descendant of the historic great family of the nobility of Corfu. He completed his secondary education at the Ionian Lyceum and then graduated from the Law School of the Ionian University (1861). On a scholarship he continued his education at the Geneva Law School and then completed his doctorate at the Sorbonne Law School. When he returned to Corfu in 1868, he worked as a lawyer.

In 1880 he took part in the municipal elections and was triumphantly elected Mayor of Corfu. In 1884 he was re-elected mayor but the following year he stood in the national elections as a candidate with Char. He was elected as a member of parliament. In May 1886 Trikoupis entrusted him with the Ministry of the Navy. Later Trikoupis made him Minister of Education and Ecclesiastical Affairs. With the help of Professor Papamarkos, he prepared, submitted and implemented many road and port projects. He was the initiator of many reforms in education and in the translation of the gospels into the vernacular. He met with much opposition (Evangelicals) and was forced to resign.

He was Prime Minister of Greece four times. (1899 – 1901, 1903, 1903 – 1904 & 1905 – 1909) During his premiership 1905-1909 the Greek state, the army and the navy were organized and equipped, the warships Hydra, Spetses and Psara were purchased. He was a high level politician, calm, noble and always acting with moderation in contrast to his political opponents.