Alexander Mantashian (1842-1911) is a prominent Armenian businessman and philanthropist.

Mantashian was engaged in oil exports business. The “A. I. Mantashev & Co.” oil industry and trading joint-stock company established by Mantashian had branches operating in various cities of Russia, Poland, Turkey, Romania, England, France, Egypt, Iran and India. A number of trade and financial dealings with foreign companies secured him an accumulation of great wealth.

Mantashian combined his commercial work with social and charitable activities. He sponsored the largest orphanage in the Caucasus, provided big funds for the construction and repair of Armenian schools in that region. Thanks to Mantashian’s sponsorship, more than two hundred young Armenians got education at the best educational establishments of Russia and Europe, and many of them have become well-known figures in science, culture, arts and literature. They are Nikoghayos Adonts, Alexander Khatisian and Constantine Khatisian, Stepan Shaumian, Komitas, Siamanto, Hakob Manandian, to name a few.

Mantashian financed construction of Baku-Batumi oil pipeline, construction of dozens of buildings and churches in Yerevan, Tbilisi, Baku, Moscow and St. Petersburg. He channeled funds for renovation of Mother Cathedral of Holy See of Etchmiadzin and for building of St. John the Baptist Church in the center of Paris.

In 1895 Mantashian was elected a lifelong honorary chairman of the Armenian Charitable Society in the Caucasus.

In 1904, in recognition of humanitarian activities expanded in France Mantasian was awarded the Legion of Honor.