Michael Stasssinopoulos was born in Kalamata in 1903. He studied law
at Athens University and was awarded a Ph.D in Law in 1934. In 1937
he was appointed Associate Professor of Administrative Law at Athens
University and in 1943 became a Professor at the Panteion School of
Political and Social Sciences, where he served as rector from 1951
to 1958.
From 1951 to 1953 he was President of the National Broadcasting Corporation.
In 1952 he served as caretaker Minister to the Prime Minister's Office
and Labour Minister in the Kiousopoulos Government and in 1958 he
was Minister for the Presidency in the Georgakopoulos Government.
In 1929 he was accepted into the Council of State, having come first
in the entrance examination, and served as President of this body
between 1966 and 1969.
Michael Stassinopoulos was a prolific writer. His literary work first
appeared in the magazine "The Muse" (1920-1923). He published
many scientific articles and literary works, as well as translations
of French poetry and prose. In 1968 he was elected to the Athens Academy
as a full member and in 1969 and 1970 he was put forward by the President
of the French Council of State, Rene Cassin, as a candidate for the
Nobel Peace Prize.
In the parliamentary elections of 1974 Michael Stassinopoulos became
a Member of Parliament for the State with the New Democracy Party.
When the referendum of 8 December 1974 established Greece as a Republic,
Michael Stassinopoulos was elected as interim President of the Republic
by a majority in parliament. He served as Head of State from 18 December
1974 until 20 June 1975, that is, until the final shaping of the new
regime by the revisionary assembly.
