Iraklis Mitsopoulos (Greek: Ηρακλής Μητσόπουλος; 1816–1892) was an author, biologist, archaeologist, physicist, zoologist, paleontologist, mineralogist, geologist, and professor.

His nephew world renowned Greek geologist Konstantinos M. Mitsopoulos became the first student to receive a doctorate degree in the natural sciences at the University of Athens.

Hercules co-founded the Museum of Physical Geography in Athens, Greece, and directed its Zoological Department.

Hercules served as Dean of the School of Philosophy which was part of the University of Athens four times.

He participated in the paleontological excavations at Pikermi, and in 1866, along with Greek chemist Anastasios Christomanos, researched the volcanic eruption of the Santorini caldera.

[13] Hercules graduated with a philosophy degree, which at the time encompassed the natural sciences.

Chemistry, biology, physics, mathematics, zoology, botany, geology, and mineralogy were part of the field of study.

Anastasios Christomanos and Mitsopoulos played a pivotal scientific role at the volcanic eruption of the Santorini caldera in 1866.

He was the founder and lifelong President of the Zoological Museum, located in the north wing of the university's main building.