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People
Greek War Of Independence (1821-1829)
Adamandios Korais (1748-1833)
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Adamandios Korais {Αδαμάντιος Κοραής} (1748-1833) [100 Drachmas]. Intellectual leader of the 1821 Greek War of Independence against Ottoman rule. Quiet life in the study enthralled him. There, constantly bent over books, he busied himself with the study and interpretation of ancient Greek authors because he believed that was the best way to cultivate humanity and love for the homeland.
Born in Smyrna {Zmirni ~ Σμύρνη} to parents from Hios {Χίος}, he had his first schooling at Evangkeliki {Ευαγγελική} School. After that his father, who made a lot of money as a merchant, sent him to Montpellier, France, to study medicine. When he qualified he went to Paris where life was difficult for him because of the French Revolution. In Paris he wrote and printed pamphlets and books with financial help from the Zosimads {Zosimades ~ Ζωσιμάδες} family and merchants from Hios {Χίος}. He sent the pamphlets and books to Greece to enlighten the subjugated people and help them maintain their beliefs.
When the Revolution was declared he did not come down to Greece. He stayed in Paris where he used his status and worked hard to establish "Philhellenic Societies" [Philhellenes] in various countries to help the uprising Homeland with moral and material support, but also to make Americans, French, Germans and such like aware that the Revolution was the National uprising of a torented people. Moreover, the struggles he went through to establish democracy and the rule of law in Greece are well known.
An accomplished lover of literature and indefatigable publisher of Greek authors as well as a teacher with noble sentiments, Korais was an eminent Teacher of the Nation and one of the Nations guiding spirits.
Adamandios Korais (1748-1833)
04-23-2004