Laskarina Bouboulina (1771–1825) was a Constantinople-born child of Greek parents and a heroine of the Greek War of Independence from the Turkish Ottoman Empire (1821 – 1830).

After the death of her father in prison in Constantinople she grew up with her mother partly in Hydra, partly in Spetses. By the age of 40 she had been married and widowed twice. She was left with seven children, but had amassed a large inheritance from her two husbands.

Bouboulina was one of the very few (if not the only) female member (the records are obscure) of the “Filiki Eteria” or “Society of Friends” which was a secret organization founded in 1814 in Odessa. Its main purpose was the overthrow of the Ottoman rule of Greece and the establishment of an independent Greek state.

Using her inheritance money, she built, weaponised and assumed command of her own squadron of warships and forces which she led with distinction and, in so doing, gathered widespread respect as a formidable fighter on both sea and land. She is remembered also for her compassion and diplomatic skills in post-conflict negotiations. Her heroic exploits became the subject of ballads, folk songs and folk lore.

She was posthumously honoured with the rank of Admiral in the Russian Navy, an ally of the Greek cause in the conflict.

Bouboulina’s house on Spetses now operates as a museum and boasts a wood-carved Florentine ceiling, 18th and 19th century furniture, collections of old weapons, fine porcelain and rare books.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org