Friends of Hastings Cemetery

Alexander Constantine Ionides and his Wife Euterpe, with their children Constantine Alexander, Aglaia, Luke and Alecco

George Frederic Watts RA (1817-1904)

c. 1841-42

Oil on canvas

150 x 183 cm

Courtesy the Watts Gallery, Compton

Alexander Constantine Ionides was the son of Constantine Ipliktsis (1775-1852), a Greek textile merchant who emigrated to England in 1815.

Alexander settled in Manchester in 1827, changing his surname to Ionides, and married Euterpe Sgouta (1816-1892) on 5 August 1832.  They had five children.

He was a merchant and stockbroker who took over the family firm when he was twenty, and by 1830 metropolitan directories list 'Ionides Co., Merchants' based at 9 Finsbury Circus, London.

He was appointed Greek Consul General in London from 1854-66.

He developed an interest in art and artists and became a colletor. He was one of the Directors of the Crystal Palace.

The Ionides home at Tulse Hill, south London became a gathering place for diplomats, church leaders, artists, writers and musicians.

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