Polys Modinos (1899-1988) was an Alexandrian of Cypriot origin. He was educated in Paris (France), a diplomat, a scholar and the first Rector of the University of Cyprus. In his youth he practised Law in Alexandria (Egypt), while later (in the 1970s) he served as ambassador of Cyprus to France, Spain and to the Holy See. He published the collection of poems entitled Rythmikes zoes (Grammata, 1927). In 1918 he gave a lecture in Alexandria, together with Alekos Singopoulo, on Cavafy’s poetic work, the text of which was published the same year.
Dimitri Mitropoulos (1896-1960) was a conductor, a pianist and a composer. He was born in Athens (Greece) and studied music there and in Brussels (Belgium). He started his career in Athens subsequently working in Europe (Germany, France, Italy and in the Soviet Union). He was the director of the symphonic orchestra of Minneapolis (1938-1949) and in 1949 he moved to New York, becoming the permanent director of the philharmonic orchestra (1951-1957). He died while directing a rehearsal at La Scala in Milan.
Giannis Mitarakis (1897-1963) was born in Alexandria (Egypt) but graduated from secondary school in Chios (Greece) and studied in Paris (France). He was a painter who initially exhibited his work in Paris in 1922 and soon acquired fame.
Andreas Michalakopoulos (1875-1938) was born in Patras (Peloponnese, Greece) and studied Law in Athens, France and Germany. He was involved in politics and was elected Member of Parliament, initially in 1911 with the Liberals’ Party, thereafter forming his own political party in 1924. He served as minister for the national economy, for agriculture, for finance and for military affairs, and was twice appointed minister for foreign affairs (1926, 1929, in the governments of Zaimis and Venizelos, respectively), Deputy Prime Minister of the Zaimis government (1928) and Prime Minister of Greece during 1924-1925.