Antonio Figueira d’Almeida (1784-1847), was a Portuguese officer and Philhellene, one of the organizers of the Greek Cavalry^[1], of which he was also the leader.

He was born in the Portuguese city of Elvas. From 1807 to 1813, he served as an officer in the Portuguese Cavalry and later as an officer in the Lusitanian Legion and the Royal Volunteer Battalion of the Anglo-Portuguese Army under British General Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington^[2]. During this period, he fought against the French, who had invaded Spain and Portugal during the Napoleonic Wars. In fact, he was particularly prominent in the battles of Bussaco^[3] and Toulouse^[4], which took place in September 1810 and April 1814.

In the late 1810s and early 1820s, Almeida began to develop his Philhellenic interests^[5]. It is worth noting that there was no significant movement of Philhellenism organized in Portugal. This was in contrast to case of Great Britain, the German states, France and the Italian states. Almeida’s intense interest in the Greek Revolution led him to go to Greece in September 1825 and to enlist in the Regular Army. At that time, the command of the Regular Army was taken over by another important Philhellene, the French officer Charles Fabvier (1783-1855)^[6].

Almeida was offered the rank of Colonel in Greece. On July 18, 1826, he took part in the victorious for the Greeks, battle of Gareas Mantineias. There he distinguished himself as commander of the Cavalry of the Regular Army. In fact, due to his action, he received the praise of Theodoros Kolokotronis, who suggested the use of the Cavalry in other services^[7]. However, due to the difficult situation that prevailed in Greece at that time, the Cavalry eventually remained an integral part of the Regular Army^[8].

In January 1827, Almeida also took part in the Battle of Distomo^[9], in which the Greek forces again won. After this battle, he was transferred to Nafplio and then he took part in the campaign of Chios, always under the command of Fabvier, in January 1828^[10].

After the failure of the campaign in Chios, and the arrival of Ioannis Kapodistrias in Greece, Almeida was appointed inspector of the Cavalry, in charge of the task of reorganizing it. Then, on January 22, 1830, he was appointed military commander of Nafplio^[11].  From this position, he contributed in September 1831, to the arrest of Georgios Mavromichalis (one of the murderers of Kapodistrias), who had taken refuge in the house of the French ambassador Rouen, and to the maintenance of order in the population of Nafplio^[12].

In 1832, due to his action during the Liberation Struggle, he was offered the title of Honorary Citizen of Nafplio and the 5th National assembly gave him the Greek citizenship^[13]. When King Othon came to Greece in January 1833, Almeida was appointed military commander at Aegina^[14].

In 1836, Almeida served with the rank of Colonel as military commander of Messolonghi. His important contribution during the Greek Revolution was recognized. Likewise his work in Messolonghi. In fact, in this context he helped to suppress the local uprising, which took place in early 1836. For these reasons, he was promoted to major general, and in 1839 he was appointed military commander of Nafplio^[15].

In Nafplio he married the sister of Alexandros Mavrokordatos, Zoe Mavrokordatos, with whom he had 2 children^[16]. Emmanuel Almeida and Dimitrios Almeida. The son of the latter, was Antonios Almeida the youngest, one of the founders of the Athens Tennis Club in 1895. Antonios Almeida fell heroically in the battle of Kilkis – Lahana on June 20, 1913^[17], continuing the glorious history of his family and its contribution to Greece.

Antonio Figueira d’Almeida, died in 1847 in Batalia, Venice^[18].

Almeida was an important Philhellene, with a useful and multifaceted contribution to Greece and the common values ​​on which Europe is based. Almeida became a Greek citizen and his family participated in all the liberation struggles in Greece. SHP and Greece honour this great Philhellene and his memory connects Greece with the friendly people of Portugal.

 

References

^[1] Βυζάντιος, Χρήστος Σ., “Ιστορία των κατά την Ελληνικήν Επανάστασιν εκστρατειών και μαχών και των μετά ταύτα συμβάντων, ων συμμέτεσχεν ο Τακτικός Στρατός από του 1821 μέχρι του 1833”, εκδ. Κ. Αντωνιάδη, Αθήνα, 1874.
^[2] Chartrand, Rene, Younghusband, Bill, “The Portuguese Army of the Napoleonic Wars”, εκδ. Osprey, Λονδίνο, 2000.
^[3] Muir, Rory, “Tactics and the Experience of Battle in the Age of Napoleon”, εκδ. Yale University Press, New Haven, 2008.
^[4] Fortescue, John William, “History of the British Army: 1814–1815”, εκδ. MacΜillan, Λονδίνο, 1920.
^[5] “Ιστορικόν Αρχείον Αλεξάνδρου Μαυροκορδάτου”, επιμ. Εμμ. Πρωτοψάλτης, Γενικά Αρχεία του Κράτους, Αθήνα, τόμος 3.
^[6] Βυζάντιος, Χρήστος Σ., “Ιστορία των κατά την Ελληνικήν Επανάστασιν εκστρατειών και μαχών και των μετά ταύτα συμβάντων, ων συμμέτεσχεν ο Τακτικός Στρατός από του 1821 μέχρι του 1833”, εκδ. Κ. Αντωνιάδη, Αθήνα, 1874.
^[7] Βλ. στο ίδιο.
^[8] Γενικό Επιτελείο Στρατού, “Ιστορία Ιππικού – Τεθωρακισμένων”, εκδ. Τυπογραφείο Ελληνικού Στρατού, Αθήνα, 1995.
^[9] “Αρχείον στρατηγού Γεωργίου Καραϊσκάκη (1826-1827)”, εκδ. Δημιουργία, Αθήνα, 1996.
^[10] Σπηλιάδης, Νικόλαος, “Απομνημονεύματα δια να χρησιμεύσωσι εις την νέαν ελληνικήν ιστορίαν 1821-1843”,  εκδ . Χ. Νικολαΐδου – Φιλαδελφέως, Αθήνα, 1857, γ’ τόμος.
^[11] “Εγκυκλοπαίδεια Πάπυρος – Larousse –Britannica”, εκδ. Δομή, Αθήνα, 1999, 5^ος τόμος.
^[12]  Λούκος, Χρήστος, ‘’Ιωάννης Καποδίστριας’’, εκδ. εφ. ‘’Τα Νέα’’, Αθήνα, 2009, σελ. 109.
^[13] “Τα αρχεία της Ελληνικής Παλιγγενεσίας”, εκδ. Βουλή των Ελλήνων, Αθήνα, 1974, 5^ος τόμος.
^[14] “Εγκυκλοπαίδεια Πάπυρος – Larousse – Britannica”, εκδ. Δομή, Αθήνα, 1999, 5^ος τόμος.
^[15]  Βλ. στο ίδιο.
^[16]  Βλ. στο ίδιο.
^[17]  Σκιαδάς, Ελευθέριος, “100 χρόνια Όμιλος Αντισφαίρισης Αθηνών 1895-1995”, εκδ. Μικρός Ρωμηός, Αθήνα, 1995.
^[18] “Εγκυκλοπαίδεια Πάπυρος – Larousse –Britannica”, εκδ. Δομή, Αθήνα, 1999, 5^ος τόμος.

 

Bibliography – Sources

• Βυζάντιος, Χρήστος Σ., ‘’Ιστορία των κατά την Ελληνικήν Επανάστασιν εκστρατειών και μαχών και των μετά ταύτα συμβάντων, ων συμμέτεσχεν ο Τακτικός Στρατός από του 1821 μέχρι του 1833’’, εκδ. Κ. Αντωνιάδη, Αθήνα, 1874.
• Chartrand, Rene, Younghusband, Bill, ‘’The Portuguese Army of the Napoleonic Wars’’, εκδ. Osprey, Λονδίνο, 2000.
• Muir, Rory, ‘’Tactics and the Experience of Battle in the Age of Napoleon’’, εκδ. Yale University Press, New Haven, 2008.
• Fortescue, John William, ‘’History of the British Army: 1814–1815’’, εκδ. MacΜillan, Λονδίνο, 1920.
• ‘’Ιστορικόν Αρχείον Αλεξάνδρου Μαυροκορδάτου’’, επιμ. Εμμ. Πρωτοψάλτης, Γενικά Αρχεία του Κράτους, Αθήνα, τόμος 3.
• Σπηλιάδης, Νικόλαος, ‘’Απομνημονεύματα δια να χρησιμεύσωσι εις την νέαν ελληνικήν ιστορίαν 1821-1843’’, εκδ . Χ. Νικολαϊδου – Φιλαδελφέως, Αθήνα, 1857, γ’ τόμος.
• ‘’Εγκυκλοπαίδεια Πάπυρος – Larousse – Britannica’’, εκδ. Δομή, Αθήνα, 1999, 5^ος τόμος.
• ‘’Τα αρχεία της Ελληνικής Παλιγγενεσίας’’, εκδ. Βουλή των Ελλήνων, Αθήνα, 1974, 5^ος τόμος.
• Σκιαδάς, Ελευθέριος, ‘’100 χρόνια Όμιλος Αντισφαίρισης Αθηνών 1895-1995’’, εκδ. Μικρός Ρωμηός, Αθήνα, 1995.
• Τρικούπης, Σπυρίδων, ‘’Ιστορία της Ελληνικής Επαναστάσεως’’, εκδ. Βουλή των Ελλήνων, Αθήνα, 2007, δ’ τόμος.
• Γενικό Επιτελείο Στρατού, ‘’Ιστορία Ιππικού- Τεθωρακισμένων’’, εκδ. Τυπογραφείο Ελληνικού Στρατού, Αθήνα, 1995.
• “Αρχείον στρατηγού Γεωργίου Καραϊσκάκη (1826-1827)”, εκδ. Δημιουργία, Αθήνα, 1996.
• Λούκος, Χρήστος, ‘’Ιωάννης Καποδίστριας’’, εκδ. εφ. ‘’Τα Νέα’’, Αθήνα, 2009

 

 

Gambini Pasquale was a brave Philhellene who died heroically during a battle in the area of ​​Athens. He originated from the city of Corte in Corsica, from a large family of distinguished soldiers.

The Greek bibliography refers often to him as “Gampini Paskouale” in Greek letters. The “Great Greek Encyclopedia” states that he arrived in Greece with the Italian Philhellene Joseph Abbati and other compatriots at the beginning of the war of independence. However, this view does not seem to be correct, as his presence is mentioned in the sources much later.

Initially, William St Clair in his work “That Greece might still be free”, ranks Gambini among about a dozen Italian revolutionaries who were sentenced to death in their homeland, in absentia, for their participation in the revolutionary movements of 1821 and for their political beliefs. This list comprised Collegno, Rosarol, Santa Rosa, Palma, Romei, Barandier, and others.

In addition, sketching Gambini’s life before he appeared in Greece, Vergé – Franceschi Michel, calls Gambini “the Red”. That is, the revolutionary. The author mentions that Gambini was associated to the Corsican revolutionary-thief, Gallocchio, and that he then fled to Greece where he took part in the liberation struggle of the Greeks, fighting against the Turks.

More information about Gambini and Gallocchio is provided by Silvani Paul. According to the international bibliography, but mainly the “History of the island of Corsica”, it appears that “Pascal Gambini” (as mentioned), came to Greece with another of his compatriots and Philhellene, Gallocchio. It seems that the latter served as “captain in Morea”. It is reported that at some point he returned for personal and family reasons in Corsica, where he was murdered.

Elie Papadacci refers to “the revolutionary-thieves Gallocchio and Pascal Gambini, who enlisted in the Greek forces“. It places their action in Greece only in the year 1826, a fact that has also not been verified. What is certain is that their presence is documented after 1824, as in 1823 Pascal Gambini appears to be the author and signatory of a revolutionary proclamation in Corsica. The proclamation is published by Valérie Sottocasa in a study.

From all the above sources, it appears that Gambini remained in Greece for a relatively short period, from 1824 or 1826 at the latest, until 1827.

In addition, the archives of Lord Gordon kept at the University of Aberdeen, comprise a letter from Gambini and other Philhellenes addressed to Gordon. The Philhellenes inform him that they were satisfying his wish and arrived in Ambelaki, a city in the Peloponnese, in the hope that they will be able to become useful to Colonel Fabvier, commander of the Greek Regular Army. The letter is dated March 12, 1827. One could therefore speculate that Gambini may have come to Greece at the urging and acquaintance of Lord Gordon. However, there is no further evidence to support this version.

In any case, the most reliable source about this Philhellene remains, as it is often the case, the biographer of the Philhellenes, Henri Fornèsy. According to his testimony, Gambini died after being first tortured by the Turks in Patissia, Athens, on May 6, 1827. Herni Fornèsy writes in his notes on Gambini exactly the following:

“The most worthy, given his bravery, to carry with honor the flag of the Philhellenes in Faliro, where he was taken prisoner. He served in the Company of the Philhellenes, which the Greek warriors called “Paschalis’ Company”. His death was the death of a hero, and here are the key details. After the Turks took him prisoner, further to the catastrophic defeat at the Three Towers or Cape Kollia, and after he had tried with fearless courage to defend himself alone against numerous enemy cavalry, they led him before Reshit Pasha to Athens, in his camp. Due to his tall stature, the Turks took him for Lord Cochrane, a mistake that could have saved his life. But the brave Corsican warrior refused to consent to such a scam. A martyr’s, but glorious, death was in his soul more preferable than maintaining his existence by redeeming it based on a lie. Among the many prisoners who fell to the Turks that same day, was the young leader, Dimitrios Kallergis. Pasha brought Gambini before him in order to verify his identity and real name. Since there was no longer any doubt, after Kallergis’ assurance, he decided to execute Gambini, whose head would go to find those of so many of his other comrades-in-arms. Gambini, until the last moment of his life, became the object of admiration and heroism, cursing the tyrannical Turks and encouraging the Greeks who suffered the same fate as him, to endure their death with courage, and with the certainty that their “brothers” comrades-in-arms, would not delay to avenge their enemies for their loss“.

Similar information about Gambini and his heroic death is also reported by Michelle Averoff in her article on the Philhellenes, as well as in Babis Anninos relevant study in “Historical Notes”.

Much information about Gambini Pasquale is also provided by Thomas Douglas Whitcombe, in his “Campaign of the Falieri and Piraeus in the Year 1827”. Whitcombe calls Gambini by his first name “Pasqual”, and states that this warrior had the good reputation that he was very courageous and that he had bravely defended the flag of the Philhellenes. He describes with eloquence his brave participation in the battle of Faliro, and in addition, he confirms the circumstances of his death. Douglas Whitcombe makes special mention of the Turks’ attempt to capture Gambini alive, as they had the impression that he was Lord Cochrane, as Fornèsy notes. He refers to the courage he showed before his conviction, to his struggle with the Turks whom he did not fear and faced fearlessly even at the last moment of his life, as well as to his last wish and effort to give courage to his captive comrades. What is striking is that the author clarifies that Gambini, despite the momentum of his action, had polite manners and was especially dear to his comrades-in-arms.

The defeat at Faliro, where 1,500 Greeks and Philhellene warriors were killed, was one of the greatest catastrophes in the history of the Greek war for Independence. This defeat was a result of the inability of the Regular Corps and the Philhellenes to cooperate with the other forces of irregular Greek fighters under a single command. In this battle, out of the 26 Philhellenes who fought, only 4 survived. In addition, the Greek literature identifies the number of prisoners at around 240 in total, while Douglas Whitcombe states that they amounted to around 300.

Gambini’s heroic death is finally also mentioned in Italian literature, as he was a Corsican. Specifically, he is referred in works dedicated to the Italian warriors who lost their lives fighting away from their homeland. One of them is the work of Atto Vannucci, of 1877, entitled “I martiri della libertà italiana dal 1794 al 1848” (volume 3). But also the book by Oreste Ferdinando Tencajoli, entitled “La Corsica: curiosità e notizie storiche, con numerose illustrazioni nel testo”.

The Gambini family was originally from Corte, Corsica. It seems it was a large family of distinguished soldiers, as in the French archives of the Legion of Honour, we find four well-known members: Gambini Jean Baptiste born in 1792, Gambini Dominique born in 1845, Gambini Epaminondas Dominique born in 1855, and Gambini Pierre François born in 1891.

The revolutionary – warrior Gambini Pasquale, fought in Greece on the side of the Greeks, and bravely sacrificed his life for the independence of Greece. Unfortunately, to this day few people know anything about this important and heroic Philhellene. SHP and the Greeks honour the contribution of this great hero.

 

Sources – Bibliography

• Ψηφιοποιημένα αρχεία του Πανεπιστήμιου του Aberdeen http://calms.abdn.ac.uk/DServe/dserve.exe?dsqServer=Calms&dsqIni=Dserve.ini&dsqApp=Archive&dsqDb=Catalog&dsqCmd=NaviTree.tcl&dsqField=RefNo&dsqItem=MS%201160/20/591#HER
• Averoff Michelle, «Les Philhellènes», Bulletin de l’Association Guillaume Budé, no 3, Octobre 1967, σσ. 312-332.
• Barth Wilhelm – Max Kehrig-Korn, Die Philhellenenzeit, von der Mitte des 18 Jahrhunderts bis zur Ermordung Kapodistrias am 9 Oktober 1831, εκδ. Hueber, Munchen, 1960.
• Βάση δεδομένων των παρασήμων του Τάγματος της Λεγεώνας της Τιμής http://wwwcoulture.gouv.fr/documentation/leonore/leonore.htm, Dossiers LΗ061/1, LH1066/2, LH 1066/3, 19800035/108/13540.
• Εθνική Βιβλιοθήκη της Ελλάδας, Τμήμα Χειρογράφων και Ομοιοιτύπων, χειρόγραφο υπ΄ αρ. 1.697: Henri Fornèsy, «Le monument des philhellènes», 1860.
• Correspondance inédite officielle et confidentielle de Napoléon Bonaparte, Paris, C.L.F. Panckoucke, 1819.
• Elliot Charles William James (επιμ.), Campaign of the Falieri and Piraeus in the year 1827, or Journal of a volunteer, being the personal account of Captain Thomas Douglas Whitcombe, Athens, [Gennadeion Monographs, vol. 5], Princeton 1992.
• Gordon Thomas, History of the Greek Revolution, 1, London, William Blackwood, Edinburg & T. Cadell, Strand, 1844.
• Histoire illustrée de la Corse, Pillet, 1863.
• Oreste Ferdinando Tencajoli, La Corsica : curiosità e notizie storiche, con numerose illustrazioni nel testo, Modernissima Libreria Internazionale, Roma, 1931.
• Papadacci Elie, Les bandits corses, honneur et dignité, Claire Vigne, 1994.
• Robiquet F., Recherches Historiques et Statistiques sur La Corse, Paris-Rennes, 1835.
• Silvani Paul, Bandits Courses, du mythe à la réalité, Albiana, 2010.
• Sottocasa Valérie, Les brigands, criminalité et protestation politique (1750-1850), Presses Universitaires de Rennes, 1994.
• St-Clair William, That Greece might still be free – The Philhellenes in the War of Independence, τόμος 1, εκδ. Oxford University Press, London-New York,
• Vannucci Atto ; I martiri della libertà italiana dal 1794 al 1848, tome 3, Milano, Bortoloti E. C., 1877.
• Vergé-Franceschi Michel, Le voyage en Corse, R. Laffront, 2009.
• Άννινος Μπάμπης, Ιστορικά σημειώματα, εκδ. Εστία, Αθήνα 1925.
• Μεγάλη Ελληνική Εγκυκλοπαίδεια, Βίκτορ Δουσμανής, 1926, Πυρσός, τόμος 8, σ. 413).
• Παπαρηγόπουλος Κωνσταντίνος, Ιστορία του Ελληνικού Έθνους, Αθήνα, Εκ της Τυπογραφίας Ανδρέου Κορομηλά, 1853.
• Τρικούπης Σπυρίδωνας, Ιστορία της Ελληνικής Επαναστάσεως, τόμος Δ΄, Λονδίνο, 1857.

 

 

Leicester Fitzgerald Charles Stanhope, 5th Earl of Harrington (1784-1862), was a British officer, a great Philhellene, with a significant influence on the creation of the press in Greece and on the promotion of an educational system.

Born in Dublin, he was the third child of General, diplomat and politician Charles Stanhope, 3rd Earl of Harrington, and Jane Fleming-Stanhope, Lady of Harrington^[1].

He pursued a military career from his adolescence. At the age of just 15, in October 1799, he was enlisted in the 1st Regiment of the Royal Guard, initially holding the rank of cornet and later the one of second lieutenant^[2]. He was promoted to lieutenant on October 20, 1802^[3]. In March 1803 he was transferred to the 9th Infantry Regiment, while in April of the same year, he was transferred as cavalry lieutenant to the 10th Light Dragon Regiment of the Prince of Wales^[4].

From 9 November 1803 to 26 January 1813, he served in the 6th Dragoon Regiment of the Royal Guard, while on 27 January 1813, he was transferred to the 17th Light Dragoon Regiment in India^[5]. . In India he was promoted to cavalry major and appointed deputy adjutant general in the East Indies in June 1815, while he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel.^[6].

In April 1817, Stanhope served as Deputy Quartermaster – General in the 47th Infantry Regiment and took part in the 3rd Anglo – Maratha War^[7]. For his action, he was honoured in October 1818 with the Order of the Bath^[8].

At the same time, his philhellenic interests began to develop^[9]. In the process, he resigned from the army on March 29, 1821 and on June 26, 1823, he was placed in the reserve in a state of combat readiness, bearing the rank of lieutenant colonel^[10].

The Philhellenic Committee of London was founded on February 28, 1823^[11] . Stanhope was quickly initiated into it by Lord Byron and he was one of its first members.^[12].

Before going to Greece, in their correspondence, Stanhope and Lord Byron express different tendencies. Stanhope, although a military man, believes that the most powerful weapon is the “pen” (i.e. the promotion of education and the press), while Lord Byron, despite being himself a writer, he believes that the battlefields are the first school of freedom (which is first conquered by military means), and therefore that the sword precedes the pen^[13]. This, however, in no way negates the fact that both tried to help Greece, with Lord Byron himself offering his own life in Messolonghi on April 7, 1824^[14].

Stanhope had proved to be an excellent manager and so the Philhellenic Committee of London sent him to Greece with the mission of Lord Byron, on July 16, 1823^[15]. In fact, he was appointed together with Lord Byron and Lazaros Kountouriotis, member of the management committee of the first loan that the revolted Greeks would receive during this period^[16].

Before arriving in Greece, he organized an important tour (accompanied by another active German philhellene, Wilhelm Bellier de Launoy), starting in Darmstadt, Germany, Zurich, Bern, Geneva and Genoa, Italy. There, Stanhope met with representatives of the local Philhellenic committees, to whom he presented with many speeches his vision and ideas for strengthening the struggle of the Greeks. In fact, during this tour, he also met with Ioannis Kapodistrias^[17]. ΕHe finally arrived in Kefalonia, which was at that time under British rule, on August 4, 1823^[18]. From Kefalonia, he passed in December 1823 to Messolonghi^[19].

Stanhope, in addition to accompanying Lord Byron, was also responsible for transporting to Greece, the first printing machines, which had been purchased by the Philhellenic Committee of London. He himself believed that the development of the press would be an effective weapon for the freedom of the Greeks^[20]. Thanks to this obsession, he laid the foundations for the creation of newspapers in Greece with this printing facility. Specifically, the emblematic newspaper “Hellenic Chronicles”, which was published from 1824 to 1826 in Messolonghi, by the important Philhellene Swiss doctor Johann Jacob Meyer (1798-1826), was printed with the material brought by Stanhope^[21]. In fact, from March 20, 1824, a second newspaper began to be published in the same printing house, edited by Gamba, the Italian earl and a close friend of Lord Byron (he was the brother of Byron’s companion). Its title was “Telegrafo Greco”. This newspaper was addressed mainly to foreigners and aimed at informing the European public opinion. It was printed in English, French, German and Italian.

Stanhope also visited the leaders – chieftains of the warring parties in Central Greece (during the civil war), and attempted to reconcile them.^[22].

What characterized Stanhope as a personality (but also the quality of his Philhellenism), was his intellectual cultivation, and the very advanced and progressive plans he had for the design of the modern Greek society, with emphasis on the design of the educational system, the creation of schools and medical centres, the establishment and operation of a Post Service, and most importantly, in the promotion of journalism.

In Athens, where he spent a long time, he founded schools and designed their curriculum^[23]. He also organized a scholarship program for young Greeks to study in England and return to Greece to take up their duties as teachers.

In Athens he closely monitored the operation of local institutions. In fact, on February 21-23, 1824, he participated in the process of electing the city’s representatives.

He intended to deliver to Nafplio (seat of the government), the second printing facility that he brought to Greece. Eventually, however, he preferred to send it to Athens with the aim of publishing a newspaper there and not in Nafplio, which was a centre of intense political manipulations and disputes.

Stanhope dreamed of publishing a national and independent newspaper, whose mission would be to promote the issues of the national liberation struggle and to increase the prestige of Greece.

So he donated the equipment to Athens (which was delivered and installed for security reasons in Salamis). The donation was accompanied by a very moving letter on April 20, 1824. Stanhope assigned the responsibility for the publication to the Athenian G. Psyllas. The first edition concerned an extensive “Proclamation” which was drafted jointly by Psyllas and Stanhope. This extensive proclamation had a patriotic content, and highlighted the damage that confrontations and discord can cause.

This was followed by the publication of the newspaper entitled “Efimeris Athinon”. The first issue was printed on August 20, 1824 and the newspaper circulated until April 1826, when Kioutachis pasha began the siege of Athens.

Stanhope also met Odysseus Androutsos in Athens, and was fascinated by his personality, as was the other Greek philhellene Trelawny.

Stanhope was a pure Philhellene who loved Greece passionately, and especially Athens, which owes him a lot. In his continuous correspondence, he invited his English compatriots to come to Greece, providing them information on the cost of living and assuring them of the security that prevailed in the liberated parts of the country. He also communicated with politicians and diplomats from many countries, whom he urged to help Greece. Of particular interest are the letters he sent to Gropius, the consul of Austria in Athens.

The Greeks considered him their own friend, and always expressed to him their love and recognition.

The death of his mother, and two months later, the death of Lord Byron on April 7, 1824, as well as his confrontation with Kountouriotis and Mavrokordatos, forced Stanhope to leave Greece in May 1824 and return to his homeland^[24].  The loss of Stanhope was particularly painful for the Greeks and the Athenians. The wisdom, the circumspection and the vision of this man, would have helped considerably Greece.

In fact, he returned with the same ship that carried the body of Lord Byron.

Stanhope never ceased to be interested in what was happening in Greece, about which he maintained dense correspondence with people such as Kapodistrias and Mavrokordatos^[25]. In 1825, he wrote the book “Greece, in 1823 and 1824: Being a Series of Letters, and Other Documents”, through which he informed the British public about the situation in Greece.

The greatness of this important philhellene derives from the content of his farewell letter to the Greeks, published in May 1824 in the “Greek Chronicles” and in the “Friend of the Law”. He mentions among other things the following:

“Your great forefathers, because of the jealousies and divisions, which they had among themselves, lost their freedom. So from experience and from many years of frictions you know the evil, that comes from discord and you want again, you Greeks, descendants of Themistocles and Miltiades, to plunge into a sea of danger. Money, you say, insures your victory and independence. So why did your ancestors drive the Persians to flee and you yourself the Turks, who were so rich and superior in number? Because they were corrupt by tyranny and despotism while the Greeks were poor and free. So it is a lie to argue that gold and iron are the nerves of war. These are only auxiliary means. The nerves of war are heart and courage …”.

And this fierce Philhellene adds: “… I am and I want to be while you are free, your most respectful slave”.

After the end of the Greek Revolution, Stanhope retired from public life. On April 23, 1831, he married Elisabeth Green, with whom he had 4 children^[26]. In 1837 he was promoted to honorary colonel of the British Army^[27]. Finally, in 1851, he succeeded his brother, Lt. General Charles Stanhope Jr., as 5th Earl of Harrington.

Leicester Fitzgerald Charles Stanhope, 5th Earl of Harrington, officer and Philhellene, died on September 7, 1862 in London.

SHP pays tribute to the memory of Leicester Stanhope, a noble Philhellene, who brought the first printing facility, triggered the birth of the press in Greece, proposed innovative forms of organisation of the society, and promoted culture to a significant level, highlighting a different dimension of the struggle of the Greeks for national independence.

 

References

^[1] Doyle, James William Edmund, “The Official Baronage of England”, εκδ. Longmans, Λονδίνο, 1886, β’ τόμος, σελ. 136.
^[2] Εφ. ‘’The London Gazette’’, Λονδίνο, φύλλο 28^ης Σεπτεμβρίου 1799, σελ.995.
^[3] Doyle, James William Edmund, ‘’The Official Baronage of England’’, εκδ. Longmans, Λονδίνο, 1886, β’ τόμος, σελ. 136.
^[4] Εφ. ‘’The London Gazette’’, Λονδίνο, φύλλο 15^ης Μαρτίου 1803, σελ. 369.
^[5] Εφ. ‘’The London Gazette’’, Λονδίνο, φύλλο 23^ης  Ιανουαρίου 1813, σελ.186.
^[6] Εφ. ‘’The London Gazette’’, Λονδίνο, φύλλο 8^ης Ιουλίου 1815, σελ. 1355.
^[7] Downham, John, “The 47th (Lancashire) Regiment of Foot”, εκδ. Lancashire Infantry Museum, Lancaster, 2010.
^[8] Εφ. ‘’The London Gazette’’, Λονδίνο, φύλλο 18^ης Οκτωβρίου 1818, σελ. 1851.
^[9] Rosen, F., ‘’ London Greek Committee (act. 1823–1826)’’, εκδ. Oxford University Press, Λονδίνο, 1992.
^[10] Εφ. ‘’ The London Gazette’’, Λονδίνο, φύλλο 5^ης Ιουλίου 1823,   σελ. 1090.
^[11] Dimaras, Alexis, ‘’The other British Philhelenes’’, εκδ. Oxford University Press, Λονδίνο, αχρονολόγητο.
^[12] St Clair, William, “That Greece Might Still be Free: The Philhellenes in the War of Independence”, εκδ. Open Book Publishers, Λονδίνο, 2008, σελ. 145.
^[13] Moore, Thomas, ‘’Letters and Journals of Lord Byron with Notices of his Life’’, εκδ. H. L. Broenner, Φρανκφούρτη, 1830. Επίσης, βλ. Αθάνας, Γ., ‘’Ιστορικά Μελετήματα’’, εκδ. Ίδρυμα Γ & Μ. Αθανασιάδη – Νόβα, Ναύπακτος, 1998, σελ. 194.
^[14] Moore, Thomas, ‘’Letters and Journals of Lord Byron with Notices of his Life’’, εκδ. H. L. Broenner , Φρανκφούρτη, 1830
^[15] Lovell, Ernest J., ‘’His Very Self and Voice, Collected Conversations of Lord Byron’’, εκδ. MacMillan, Νέα Υόρκη, 1954, σελ. 369.
^[16] ‘’Ιστορικόν Αρχείον Αλεξάνδρου Μαυροκορδάτου’’, επιμ. Εμμ. Πρωτοψάλτης, Γενικά Αρχεία του Κράτους, Αθήνα, τόμος 3.
^[17] St Clair, William, “That Greece Might Still be Free: The Philhellenes in the War of Independence”, εκδ. Open Book Publishers, Λονδίνο, 2008, σελ. 159.
^[18] Βλ. στο ίδιο.
^[19] Stanhope, Leicester, 5^ος κόμης του Harrington, “Greece, in 1823 and 1824: Being a Series of Letters, and Other Documents”, εκδ. Sherwood, Gilbert & Piper, Λονδίνο, 1825, σελ. 543.
^[20] Εφημερίδα «Ελληνικά Χρονικά», 1^η Ιανουαρίου 1824, Μεσολόγγι, φύλλο 1. Επίσης, βλ. St Clair, William, “That Greece Might Still be Free: The Philhellenes in the War of Independence”, εκδ. Open Book Publishers, Λονδίνο, 2008, σελ.160.
^[21]Συλλογικό, ‘’Πεντακόσια χρόνια έντυπης παράδοσης’’, εκδ. Βιβλιοθήκη της Βουλής των Ελλήνων, Αθήνα, 2000, σελ.192.
^[22] St Clair, William, “That Greece Might Still be Free: The Philhellenes in the War of Independence”, εκδ. Open Book Publishers, Λονδίνο, 2008
^[23]  ‘’Αρχείο Leicester Stanhope’’, Γενικά Αρχεία του Κράτους, Αθήνα, τόμοι 13 και 15α’. Επίσης, βλ. St Clair, William, “That Greece Might Still be Free: The Philhellenes in the War of Independence”, εκδ. Open Book Publishers, Λονδίνο, 2008, σελ. 159-161.
^[24] ‘’Αρχεία της Ελληνικής Παλιγγενεσίας’’, εκδ. Βουλή των Ελλήνων, Αθήνα, 1977, 10^ος τόμος, σελ. 299.
^[25] “Αρχείο Leicester Stanhope”, Γενικά Αρχεία του Κράτους, Αθήνα, τόμοι 13 και 15α’. Επίσης, βλ. “Ιστορικόν Αρχείον Αλεξάνδρου Μαυροκορδάτου”, επιμ. Εμμ. Πρωτοψάλτης, Γενικά Αρχεία του Κράτους, Αθήνα, τόμος 3.
^[26] Doyle, James William Edmund, “The Official Baronage of England”, εκδ. Longmans, Λονδίνο, 1886, β’ τόμος, σελ. 136.
^[27] Βλ. στο ίδιο.

 

Bibliography – Sources

• Doyle, James William Edmund, “The Official Baronage of England”, εκδ. Longmans, Λονδίνο, 1886, β’ τόμος.
• Εφ. ‘’The London Gazette’’, Λονδίνο, φύλλο 28^ης Σεπτεμβρίου 1799.
• Εφ. ‘’The London Gazette’’, Λονδίνο, φύλλο 15^ης Μαρτίου 1803.
• Εφ. ‘’The London Gazette’’, Λονδίνο, φύλλο 23^ης Ιανουαρίου 1813.
• Εφ. ‘’The London Gazette’’, Λονδίνο, φύλλο 8^ης Ιουλίου 1815.
• Εφ. ‘’The London Gazette’’, Λονδίνο, φύλλο 18^ης Οκτωβρίου 1818.
• Εφ. ‘’The London Gazette’’, Λονδίνο, φύλλο 5^ης Ιουλίου 1823.
• Downham, John, ‘’The 47th (Lancashire) Regiment of Foot’’, εκδ. Lancashire Infantry Museum, Lancaster, 2010.
• Rosen, F., ‘’London Greek Committee (act. 1823–1826)’’, εκδ. Oxford University Press, Λονδίνο, 1992.
• Dimaras, Alexis, ‘’The other British Philhelenes’’, εκδ. Oxford University Press, Λονδίνο, αχρονολόγητο.
• St Clair, William, “That Greece Might Still be Free: The Philhellenes in the War of Independence”, εκδ. Open Book Publishers, Λονδίνο, 2008.
• Lovell, Ernest J., ‘’His Very Self and Voice, Collected Conversations of Lord Byron’’, εκδ. MacMillan, Νέα Υόρκη, 1954.
• Stanhope, Leicester, 5^ος κόμης του Harrington, “Greece, in 1823 and 1824: Being a Series of Letters, and Other Documents”, εκδ. Sherwood, Gilbert & Piper, Λονδίνο, 1825.
• Εφημ. “Ελληνικά Χρονικά”, 1^η Ιανουαρίου 1824, Μεσολόγγι, φύλλο 1.
• Συλλογικό, ‘’Πεντακόσια χρόνια έντυπης παράδοσης’’, εκδ. Βιβλιοθήκη της Βουλής των Ελλήνων, Αθήνα, 2000.
• ‘’Αρχεία της Ελληνικής Παλιγγενεσίας’’, εκδ. Βουλή των Ελλήνων, Αθήνα, 1977, 10^ος τόμος.
• ‘’Αρχείο Leicester Stanhope’’, Γενικά Αρχεία του Κράτους, Αθήνα, τόμοι 13 και 15α’.
• ‘’Ιστορικόν Αρχείον Αλεξάνδρου Μαυροκορδάτου’’, επιμ. Εμμ. Πρωτοψάλτης, Γενικά Αρχεία του Κράτους, Αθήνα, τόμος 3.
• Moore, Thomas, ‘’Letters and Journals of Lord Byron with Notices of his Life’’, εκδ. H. L. Broenner, Φρανκφούρτη, 1830.
• Αθάνας, Γ., ‘’Ιστορικά Μελετήματα’’, εκδ. Ίδρυμα Γ & Μ. Αθανασιάδη – Νόβα, Ναύπακτος, 1998.
• Δημητρίου Α. Γέροντα, “Οι Αθηναίοι στην Επανάσταση του 1821“

 

 

 

Jean Gabriel Eynard (1775-1863), was a Swiss banker, diplomat and prominent Philhellene, a great supporter of the Greek Revolution, and a benefactor of Greece.

His father was Gabriel-Antoine Eynard, a merchant and banker from the old and powerful noble family of Mont-Eynard, who came from the province of Dauphiné in the South East France[1].

The original branch of the family remained Roman Catholic, while the younger one had joined the Reformation. Gabriel-Antoine Eynard (father of Jean Gabriel Eynard), came from the Calvinist branch of the family, who immediately after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes (1685), had taken refuge in Geneva to maintain his faith. Several members of the family held public office in the city and developed outstanding philanthropic work, while Jean-Gabriel Eynard’s grandfather, Jean-Louis Eynard de Trémolières, was called l’avocat des pauvres (“the lawyer of the poor”)[2].

In 1769, Gabriel-Antoine Eynard moved to Lyon, where he founded a trading company. In 1770, after his first wife Marie-Françoise de Normandie, had died, he married Marie-Madeleine Meuricoffre, the daughter of a merchant from Thurgau, Switzerland, with whom he had three children. The second one was Jean Gabriel Eynard. The young man, who is raised in a strict Calvinist environment, is extremely studious and art-loving. From an early age he learns from his father the economic and commercial processes and he excels professionally.[3].

In 1793 the bloody conflict between the Jacobins and the Girondins takes great proportions. Lyon had joined the monarchical camp, and was besieged by the troops of the French Conventional Assembly. The Eynard family was among the city’s defenders. Gabriel-Antoine Eynard was in fact the elected mayor of Lyon. On October 9, the city was occupied by the rebels[4]. Jean Gabriel Eynard managed to escape to Geneva. On the contrary, his father was arrested, sentenced to death and his property was confiscated. Nevertheless, he finally managed to escape. The whole family settled in the small Swiss town of Rolle, in the canton of Vaud, on the shores of the Geneva lake[5].

Because his paternal estate was destroyed in Lyon, Jean Gabriel Eynard’s father sent him to his half-sister, Lisette Gaulis, who lived in Genoa, to work in her husband’s important trading company[6].

He spent some time there offering his services as an employee, and then he decided to start his own trading business (Eynard Frères et Schmidt), with his brother Jacques and another former employee of Gaulis’ firm[7].

The two brothers boldly and successfully developed a business (trading olive oil, cream and chewing gum), and thus managed to pay off all the previous obligations of the parent’s company[8].

In April – June 1800 the English and Austrians besieged Genoa (Napoleonic wars of subjugation). Jean Gabriel Eynard supported the troops of the French general Andre Massena, participating bravely as a volunteer in the defense of the besieged and starving city, which finally surrendered on June 4, 1800[9].

Eynard moved for some time to Milan, where he met General Horace Francois Bastien Sebastiani de la Porta (1772-1851), later French ambassador to Constantinople[10], where he came in contact with the French staff. He then ended up in Livorno[11].

Eynard became a great merchant in Italy, a powerful banker, a capable manager and a diplomat. Indicatively, we remind that he managed to invest with great success, a loan of 1,450,000 pounds of the Duchy of Etruria, in minerals and iron mines, and in lands of Central Italy[12].

In 1803 he retired from the banking house he had founded with his brother in Genoa and settled in Florence, where he took up public office in parallel with his business and commercial / banking activities. From this operation, he acquired a large fortune and his businesses expanded to Geneva and the commercial cities of Florence and Livorno in Italy[13].

He held high public office for a number of years, which allowed him to reorganize the finances of several Italian states, such as the Duchy of Etruria, the Principalities of Luca and Piombino, the State of Tuscany, and others. In the autumn of 1804 he participated as a member of the Tuscan diplomatic delegation in the ceremonies for the coronation of Napoleon in Paris. A few months later, in Milan, he firmly defended the interests of the duchy (tax reduction) before the emperor and king of Italy Napoleon[14].

In 1807 he became central collector of taxes in the principalities of Luca and Piombino, ruled by Felix Bacciochi and his wife Eliza Bonaparte, Napoleon’s sister.

In 1808 he became a Swiss citizen and citizen of Rolle. He returned to Paris next year as a member of the Tuscan delegation to thank Napoleon for the appointment of his sister Eliza to the Tuscan throne. In addition to his political duties, he spent time in Paris studying chemistry with Baron Thénard[15].

In 1814 – 15 Geneva was admitted to the Swiss Federation. Eynard organized and supplied at his expenses, the cavalry of the National Guard, of which he was appointed lieutenant colonel, with the mission of protecting the independence of the region from the aspirations of the French. He was a member of the Geneva High Council and secretary of the delegation to the “Treaties of Paris” and the Congress of Vienna, together with his uncle, through his wife Anna Eynard Lullin Charles Pictet de Rochemont (1755-1824) and Francois d’lvernois[16].

In these international meetings they tried to ensure the recognition of Geneva’s annexation to the Swiss Federation, as well as the neutrality of Switzerland[17].

Ioannis Kapodistrias, a special envoy of the Russian emperor Alexander I, consistently supported their demands in the broader context of the Russian politics and became their close friend. At the Vienna Congress, Eynard was accompanied by his wife. The couple was acquainted with most of the powerful rulers, great politicians and diplomats of the time. Their meeting with Ioannis Kapodistrias resulted in a warm, sincere and long-term friendship. The friendship of the two men was Eynard’s first substantial contact with the affairs of the Greeks. The leading Corfiot diplomat and politician, informed the French-Swiss banker about the sufferings of the Greeks enslaved by the Turks[18]. At the Congress of Vienna, the four “Great Powers” concluded the “European Agreement”, known as the Holy Alliance, against all the revolutionary and liberation movements of their time. This created a negative climate, mainly on the Austrian side, inspired by Chancellor Metternich, and for the Greek cause[19].

Between 1817 and 1821, Eynard built his family mansion in Geneva, on the Promenades des Bastions, based on designs by the Italian architect G. Salucci and the decisive contribution of himself and his wife. The building followed a Florentine – neoclassical style, and it was the most beautiful of that time in the city. This building was renovated later and became the City Hall[20]. The emblematic house of Eynard became the “headquarters” of European philhellenism and a centre of culture, a few years later. Eynard developed in parallel a rich social and intellectual activity; he was a pioneer or active member in various literary and artistic societies of Geneva, such as the Société de Lecture, Société des Arts, Société d’Histoire et d’ Archéologie, the Utilité Publique, he supported charitable initiatives, took care of the beautification of the city[21] etc. A few years later he acquired luxury residences in Florence, Rome and Paris. At the same time he continued his political activity. So in 1816 he undertook to restore the public finances of the State of Tuscany. In the autumn of 1818 he represented the Grand Duke of Tuscany Ferdinand at the Congress of Aix-la-Chapelle. He remained in his court as a counselor until 1821. For his contribution he was honored as early as 1818 with the title of nobleman of Florence and knight of St. Joseph[22].

After the outbreak of the Greek Revolution in the Danube Hegemonies and in Greece in 1821, Eynard was one of the first Europeans to become increasingly involved in the movement to support the revolted Greeks.

In August 1821 he founded, together with Favre-Bertrand, Et.-L. Dumont, J.C.L. de Sismondi, Bellot, and others, the first philhellenic committee in Geneva, which was quickly recognized by the committees of other Swiss cities as the coordinating authority. Eynard became immediately the organizer, the soul and the pillar of all the philhellenic committees of Europe (Geneva, Paris, Bern, Zurich, Lausanne, Berlin, Munich, Dresden, etc.). The Philhellenic Committees helped with fundraising, public events and the enlightment of the public opinion, the Greek Struggle for Liberation[23].

At the beginning of the Greek Revolution, the Phanariote princes Ioannis Karatzas, Alexandros Mavrokordatos and Michael Soutzos, were hosted at his house and became Eynard’s friends. From the autumn of 1822 he started working closely with Ioannis Kapodistrias, who, after resigning from his duties in the Czar’s Court, lived permanently in Geneva and worked for the Greek Struggle[24].

In the coming years, Eynard will become the brave sponsor of the Greek Struggle. He will facilitate and finance the transportation to Greece of foreign volunteers, of food, ammunition and money for the struggling Greeks. Being a prominent economic and political figure, he had the opportunity to promote the Greek cause to foreign European courts and governments, to diplomats and personalities from his social environment, in international meetings and conferences. His vast correspondence, travels and contacts have the sole aim of restoring Greece, which he never succeeded to visit in his life. His correspondence with the Greek chieftains and politicians, protagonists of the Revolution, is also remarkable[25]. He rightly acquired the title of “Rector of the Greeks” and “Friend of the Greeks”[26].

During the period 1825-1827, after the landing of the Egyptian troops of Ibrahim Pasha in the Peloponnese and the siege of Messolonghi, when the Struggle entered a critical phase, Eynard worked intensively in Paris for four months for the formation of the Philhellenic Committee and the delivery of financial assistance to Greece. He also tried to secure a loan with favorable terms, which would be managed by the Philhellenic Committee of Paris. Finally the Greek representatives preferred to conclude the well-known loans in London[27].

In September 1825, thanks to the actions of Eynard, the Philhellenic committee of Geneva collected 55,000 – 60,000 francs for the Greeks. He supplied another 40,000 francs to the two envoys Fr. Marcet and W. Romilly, of the Paris and Geneva Committees respectively, for food and ammunition to be sent to Greece the following year. When Eynard was informed of the siege of Messolonghi he was shocked. Especially because he had experienced the same gloomy situation twice in his life. He immediately sent as his own contribution 12,000-15,000 francs for wheat, and secured another 60,000 francs from the French Philhellenes. These sums were sent via Zakynthos to Greece, to the battlefields and to Messolonghi[28]. At the same time, he addressed an emblematic message “to the glorious military leaders of the brave Messolonghi and to its brave guard”.

His passion was such that he and his wife went to Ancona to personally oversee and manage the loading of ships with supplies for the city of martyrdom (Messolonghi), which in the meantime had succumbed to Ibrahim’s hordes.

The sacrifice of Messolonghi convinced Eynard that a more effective coordination of the relief effort was needed. It is worth noting how much he was moved by the capture of the Greeks and their sale in slave markets in the Mediterranean. He immediately sent 51,000 francs to buy back the freedom of the enslaved Greek women and children. At the same time, he appointed G. Papamanolis in Kythira and T. T. Petrini in Nafplio as his representatives. He also sent his compatriot Swiss doctor and Philhellene, Louis-André Gosse to Greece to optimize the management of the aid[29].

His insight leads him to important interventions with an impact also on the military aspects of the Greek struggle. His assessment was that Greece had to maintain its sovereignty over the sea. A domination that it had begun to lose. Thus he mediated for Admiral Cochrane[30] to be sent to Greece. At the time, Cochrane was the most famous international admiral. It was a military and political instrument, whose name alone was enough to terrorize the enemy. When it was announced that Admiral Cochrane was finally going to Greece, the interest rate of the Greek loan was immediately reduced by 15%. His arrival in Greece was for months the key topic of discussion in Greece and Turkey.

In the same context, Eynard contributed 150,000 francs to cover the costs for the shipbuilding and equipment of Karteria, the first steam-powered warship to take part in military operations in naval history[31].

From the fall of Messolonghi until the first days of 1827, the Swiss, German and French Philhellenic Committees sent to Greece, under the coordination of Eynard, food of a total weight of 7.4 million pounds. Moreover, only in 1827, Eynard sent to Greece over 800,000 francs from fundraisers. In a report that he presented at the end of 1827, he stated that only the weekly fundraiser of 1826 alone, contributed in total more than 2.5 million francs for the Greeks. Without official diplomatic status, but relying on his great international prestige, he successfully handled the great Greek diplomatic problems of the period 1827-1832, significantly influencing the decisions of London in July 1827 and Paris in 1829-30. In May 1827, the Third National Assembly in Troizina awarded honorably to him the Greek citizenship “by naturalizing him as a true Greek and a citizen of Greece”[32].

In the period between 1827 and 1831, when Ioannis Kapodistrias was appointed Governor of Greece, he found in his person the wise advisor and the constant supporter in any financial difficulty faced by the newly formed Greek State. Greece owes Eynard multifold financial support, funds for the agricultural development and the establishment of the agricultural school of Tiryns, the sending of seeds, potatoes, tools, medicines, his contribution for the reconstruction of villages, the organization of the national education and the army, the creation of the National Financial Bank (for which it sent a total of 100,000 francs), the granting of state loans that had been refused to Greece by the Powers[33], etc.

Of particular note is the loan of 1,500,000 francs in 1829, which was used to pay the army and to combat robbery. In 1828, Eynard was forced to go to the Pyrenees because of his wife’s health. He assigned Michael Soutzos in Paris to replace him, who was then appointed on the recommendation of Eynard, ambassador to Paris[34]. In 1830, although Eynard was close to French politics, he supported the candidacy for the Greek throne of the Prince of Saxe-Cobourg-Gotha Leopold[35]. In the same year, the city of Thebes gave his name to its largest square, while in 1837 the city council decided to erect a monument in the square, “in honor of this gentle man and benefactor of the homeland”.

The assassination of the Greek Governor caused a crash to his beloved Swiss friend, who had even prepared a small house for him in Beaulieu, to spend the last years of his life quietly. To honour Ioannis Kapodistrias, to defend his memory from unfavorable comments of Greeks and foreigners, but also to protect the reputation of Greece, he published in Paris a collection of public and private documents on the sad events of 1831 entitled ”Official letters and documents related to the last events of Greece; which preceded and followed the death of the count Capodistrias, up to October 31, 1831”[36].

During the years 1831-1836 Eynard arranged to send the experienced French economist Arthémond de Regny, his close friend, to Greece, with a mission to organize the country’s public finances. De Regny was appointed “General Supervisor of the Kingdom’s finances”, and in 1834 he founded (and became its first president), the Court of Auditors. In 1838 he took over as general curator of financial management[37]. De Regny’s acquaintance at the Court of Auditors with Georgios Stavros and the friendship of the two men led a little later to the establishment of the National Bank.

Greece awarded Eynard in 1837 with the Royal Decree of 17.7.1837, the Grand Cross of the Knights of the Order of the Redeemer. At the same time, Eynard was honoured by the French government with the Legion of Honor[38].

From 1837 to 1840, Eynard participated in various attempts to establish a bank in the modern Greek state, either alone or with the English house Wright and later with Dutch investors. Unfortunately, these attempts were unsuccessful. In the meantime, already in 1838, Eynard lent 300,000 francs to de Regny and Georgios Stavros, with the aim of buying commercial bills in the Athenian market with 8% interest, in order to combat usury. This initiative was successful and it led to a drastic reduction of the claims of the usurers[39].

His philhellenic feelings and sincere interest never stopped. Thus, in 1841 Eynard proclaims a “new alarm of the Philhellenes”, and undertakes efforts to help the Cretan Revolution of 1841, to liberate Crete and to unite with Greece. However, he did not manage to send aid, because the revolution was quickly suppressed. He also intervened for the release of Christian prisoners in Algeria during the Franco-Algerian conflict of 1839-1841[40].

The contribution of this great man culminates with his decisive suppot for the establishment of the National Bank of Greece (NBG) in March 1841.

Eynard supported George Stavros for the position of director of the Bank. Jean Gabriel Eynard and Nikolaos Zosimas were declared “honorary directors” of NBG by the preliminary assembly of shareholders on November 13, 1841[41].

In 1842 the Educational Society elected him honorary president. In 1843, a year of economic crisis in Greece, Eynard tried to persuade foreign powers to lend the country again. When the Greek government closed its embassies, Eynard again offered to take over the diplomatic representation of Greece abroad. During this same period, he also mediated in settling the claims of various of his compatriots – investors, against the Russian state and Czar Nicholas I awarded him the Cross of the Order of St. Anne[42].

At the same time, during this period, he continued to be a pioneer in culture. Eynard was the first to promote the art of daguerreotype, becoming an honorary member of the Academy of Sciences in Paris[43].

In 1847 Eynard facilitated the Greek government by granting it a loan of 500,000 francs, in order to meet its obligation to pay the semester’s installment of the national loan of 1832 of 60,000,000 francs. From 1848 onwards he was isolated from social life, devoting more and more time to religion and to the study of Christian texts. In addition, he was suffering from health problems[44].

After the end of the Crimean War (1856) king Othon appealed to him, asking him to use his prestige to mediate at the Peace Conference in Paris, for favorable solutions in favor of Greece[45].

King Othon himself visited him in 1862 in Beaulieu, to personally convey to him the love and gratitude of the Greek people and to hand over to him the highest Greek medal, the Grand Cross of the Redeemer, which had already been awarded to him in 1837.

Jean Gabriel Eynard, this great Philhellene, national benefactor of Greece and noble pioneer of culture, passed away on February 5, 1863 in Geneva.

SHP, Greece and the Greeks will forever honour the memory of this remarkable noble Philhellene, who selflessly and generously, offered until his last breath, contributing decisively, both for the success of the Independence of Greece and the economic and social organization of the young state, as well as for the evolution of culture.

 

References

[1] Νοταράς, Γεράσιμος, Καρατζάς, Θεόδωρος, Συνοδινός, Ζήσιμος, ‘’Ιωάννης Γαβριήλ Εϋνάρδος. Οραματιστής και κύριος συντελεστής της ίδρυσης της Εθνικής Τράπεζας της Ελλάδος’’, εκδ. Μ.Ι.Ε.Τ., Αθήνα,1999, σελ.13.

[2]  Βλ. στο ίδιο.

[3] Βλ. στο ίδιο.

[4] Chapuisat, Edouard, ‘’Jean-Gabriel Eynard et son temps : 1775-1863’’, εκδ. A. Jullien, Γενεύη, 1952, σελ.14.

[5] Νοταράς, Γεράσιμος, Καρατζάς , Θεόδωρος, Συνοδινός, Ζήσιμος, ‘’Ιωάννης Γαβριήλ Εϋνάρδος. Οραματιστής και κύριος συντελεστής της ίδρυσης της Εθνικής Τράπεζας της Ελλάδος’’, εκδ. Μ.Ι.Ε.Τ., Αθήνα,1999, σελ. 13.

[6] Monod, Roger, ‘’Famille Eynard”, εκδ. Archives de la Ville de Genève, Γενεύη, 1982, σελ. 35.

[7] Βλ. στο ίδιο.

[8] Νοταράς, Γεράσιμος, Καρατζάς , Θεόδωρος, Συνοδινός, Ζήσιμος, ‘’Ιωάννης Γαβριήλ Εϋνάρδος. Οραματιστής και κύριος συντελεστής της ίδρυσης της Εθνικής Τράπεζας της Ελλάδος’’, εκδ. Μ.Ι.Ε.Τ., Αθήνα,1999, σελ.13.

[9] Βλ. στο ίδιο, σελ.14.

[10] Driault, Edouard, ‘’Etudes napoleoniennes’’, εκδ. F. Alcan, Παρίσι, 1904, σελ. 101.

[11] Bouvier-Bron, Michelle, ’’Une jeunesse en Italie. Les années de formation de Jean Gabriel Eynard’’, εκδ. Slatkine, Γενεύη, 2019, σελ. 179.

[12]  Βλ. στο ίδιο.

[13]  Συλλογή Diodati – Eynard 1685-1904, Βιβλιοθήκη της Γενεύης, φάκελος 15, έγγραφο υπ’ αριθμ.64.

[14]  Βλ. στο ίδιο.

[15] Chapuisat, Edouard, ‘’Jean-Gabriel Eynard et son temps : 1775-1863’’, εκδ. A. Jullien, Γενεύη, 1952, σελ. 38.

[16]  Chapuisat, Edouard, ‘’ Journal de Jean-Gabriel Eynard publié avec une introduction et des notes’’, εκδ. Plon Nouritt, Γενεύη, 1924,   α’ τόμος.

[17] Καποδίστριας, Ιωάννης, ‘’Αυτοβιογραφία Ιωάννου Καποδίστρια’’, επιμ. Μ. Λάσκαρις, εκδ. Γαλαξίας, Αθήνα,1968, σελ. 35-36.

[18] Woodhouse, Christopher Montague, ‘’Capodistria. The founder of Greek Independence’’, εκδ. Oxford University Press, Λονδίνο, 1973, σελ. 82.

[19] Grimsted Kennedy, Patricia,’’Capodistrias and a ‘’new order’’ for restoration Europe: the ‘’liberal ideas’’ of a Russian Foreign Minister, 1814-1822’’, περ. ‘’The Journal of Modern History’’, Σικάγο, 1968, τεύχος 40, σελ. 166-172.

[20] Νοταράς, Γεράσιμος, Καρατζάς , Θεόδωρος, Συνοδινός, Ζήσιμος, ‘’Ιωάννης Γαβριήλ Ε’υ’νάρδος. Οραματιστής και κύριος συντελεστής της ίδρυσης της Εθνικής Τράπεζας της Ελλάδος’’, εκδ. Μ.Ι.Ε.Τ., Αθήνα,1999, σελ.17.

[21] Βλ. στο ίδιο.

[22]  Βλ. στο ίδιο.

[23]  Rouiller, Jean-Luc, ‘’La bibliothèque de La Grange’’, εκδ. La Baconnière : Bibliothèque de Genève, Γενεύη, 2011, σελ 11.

[24] Crawley, C.V., ’’John Capodistrias: Some Unpublished Documents’’, εκδ. Αριστοτελείου Πανεπιστημίου Θεσσαλονίκης, Θεσσαλονίκη,1970,σελ.56.

[25] Νοταράς, Γεράσιμος, Καρατζάς , Θεόδωρος, Συνοδινός, Ζήσιμος, ‘’Ιωάννης Γαβριήλ Εϋνάρδος. Οραματιστής και κύριος συντελεστής της ίδρυσης της Εθνικής Τράπεζας της Ελλάδος’’, εκδ. Μ.Ι.Ε.Τ., Αθήνα,1999, σελ.17.

[26] Βλ. στο ίδιο,σελ.18.

[27] Βλ. στο ίδιο,σελ.19.

[28] ‘’Ατομικός Φάκελος ναυάρχου Ανδρέα Μιαούλη’’, Ιστορικό Αρχείο Μουσείο Ύδρας, Ύδρα, γ’ τετράδιο, σελ. 156-160.

[29] St Clair, William, ‘’ That Greece Might Still Be Free.The Philhellenes in the War of Independence’’, εκδ. Open Book Publishers, Λονδίνο, 2008, σελ. 335.

[30] Τρικούπης, Σπυρίδων, ‘’Ιστορία της Ελληνικής Επαναστάσεως’’, εκδ. Βουλή των Ελλήνων, Αθήνα, 2007, δ’ τόμος, σελ.118.

[31] Βλ. στο ίδιο.

[32] Monod, Roger, ‘’Famille Eynard‘’, εκδ. Archives de la Ville de Genève, Γενεύη, 1982, σελ.290.

[33] Καποδίστριας, Ιωάννης, ‘’Επιστολαί διπλωματικαί, διοικητικαί και ιδιωτικαί, γραφείσαι από 8 Απριλίου 1827 μέχρι 26 Σεπτεμβρίου 1831’’, εκδ. Κωνσταντίνου Ράλλη, Αθήνα, 1841, γ’ τόμος, σελ. 285-288.

[34] Πρεβελάκης, Ελ.- Γλύτσης, Φ., ‘’Επιτομαί εγγράφων του Βρεταννικού Υπουργείου Εξωτερικών, Γενική Αλληλογραφία/Ελλάς’’, εκδ. Ακαδημία Αθηνών, Αθήνα, 1975, δ’ τόμος, σελ. 68-69.

[35] Καποδίστριας, Ιωάννης, ‘’ Επιστολαί διπλωματικαί, διοικητικαί και ιδιωτικαί, γραφείσαι από 8 Απριλίου 1827 μέχρι 26 Σεπτεμβρίου 1831’’, εκδ. Κωνσταντίνου Ράλλη, Αθήνα, 1841, γ’ τόμος, σελ. 379-380.

[36] Νοταράς, Γεράσιμος, Καρατζάς , Θεόδωρος, Συνοδινός, Ζήσιμος, ‘’Ιωάννης Γαβριήλ Εϋνάρδος. Οραματιστής και κύριος συντελεστής της ίδρυσης της Εθνικής Τράπεζας της Ελλάδος’’, εκδ. Μ.Ι.Ε.Τ., Αθήνα, 1999, σελ. 20.

[37] Βακαλόπουλος, Κωνσταντίνος, “L’ économiste français Arthémond de Regny et son rôle dans l’histoire financière de la Grèce (1831-1841)”, εκδ. Αριστοτελείου Πανεπιστημίου Θεσσαλονίκης, Θεσσαλονίκη, 1977.

[38] ‘’Diplôme et distinctions en faveur de Jean-Gabriel Eynard 1834-1854 (en français et en grec)’’, Συλλογή Diodati – Eynard 1685-1904, Βιβλιοθήκη της Γενεύης, φάκελος 15, έγγραφο υπ’ αριθμ. 77.

[39] ‘’Αρχείο Αλεξάνδρου Μαυροκορδάτου’’, Γενικά Αρχεία του Κράτους, Αθήνα, φακ.21, έγγρ. υπ’αριθμ.5891.

[40] Νοταράς, Γεράσιμος, Καρατζάς , Θεόδωρος, Συνοδινός, Ζήσιμος, ‘’Ιωάννης Γαβριήλ Εϋνάρδος. Οραματιστής και κύριος συντελεστής της ίδρυσης της Εθνικής Τράπεζας της Ελλάδος’’, εκδ. Μ.Ι.Ε.Τ., Αθήνα, 1999, σελ.21.

[41] Βλ. στο ίδιο.

[42] Βλ. στο ίδιο, σελ. 22.

[43] ‘’Eynard Daguerreotypes’’, J. Paul Getty Museum, Νέα Υόρκη.

[44] Νοταράς, Γεράσιμος, Καρατζάς, Θεόδωρος, Συνοδινός, Ζήσιμος, ‘’Ιωάννης Γαβριήλ Εϋνάρδος. Οραματιστής και κύριος συντελεστής της ίδρυσης της Εθνικής Τράπεζας της Ελλάδος’’, εκδ. Μ.Ι.Ε.Τ., Αθήνα, 1999, σελ.22.

[45] Βλ. στο ίδιο.

 

Bibliography – Sources

• Καποδίστριας, Ιωάννης, ‘’Αυτοβιογραφία Ιωάννου Καποδίστρια’’, επιμ. Μ. Λάσκαρις, εκδ. Γαλαξίας, Αθήνα,1968.
• ‘’Diplôme et distinctions en faveur de Jean-Gabriel Eynard 1834-1854 (en français et en grec)’’, Συλλογή Diodati – Eynard 1685-1904, Βιβλιοθήκη της Γενεύης.
• St Clair, William, ‘’That Greece Might Still Be Free. The Philhellenes in the War of Independence’’, εκδ. Open Book Publishers, Λονδίνο, 2008.
• ‘’Αρχείο Αλεξάνδρου Μαυροκορδάτου’’, Γενικά Αρχεία του Κράτους, Αθήνα.
• Νοταράς, Γεράσιμος, Καρατζάς , Θεόδωρος, Συνοδινός, Ζήσιμος, ‘’Ιωάννης Γαβριήλ Εϋνάρδος. Οραματιστής και κύριος συντελεστής της ίδρυσης της Εθνικής Τράπεζας της Ελλάδος’’, εκδ. Μ.Ι.Ε.Τ., Αθήνα, 1999.
• Monod, Roger, ‘’Famille Eynard‘’, εκδ. Archives de la Ville de Genève, Γενεύη, 1982.
• Πρεβελάκης, Ελ.- Γλύτσης, Φ., ‘’Επιτομαί εγγράφων του Βρετανικού Υπουργείου Εξωτερικών, Γενική Αλληλογραφία/Ελλάς’’, εκδ. Ακαδημία Αθηνών, Αθήνα, 1975, δ’ τόμος.
• Βακαλόπουλος, Κωνσταντίνος,’’ L’ économiste français Arthémond de Regny et son rôle dans l’histoire financière de la Grèce (1831-1841)’’, εκδ. Αριστοτελείου Πανεπιστημίου Θεσσαλονίκης, Θεσσαλονίκη, 1977.
• Καποδίστριας, Ιωάννης, ‘’Επιστολαί διπλωματικαί, διοικητικαί και ιδιωτικαί, γραφείσαι από 8 Απριλίου 1827 μέχρι 26 Σεπτεμβρίου 1831’’, εκδ. Κωνσταντίνου Ράλλη, Αθήνα, 1841, γ’ τόμος.
• Τρικούπης, Σπυρίδων, ‘’Ιστορία της Ελληνικής Επαναστάσεως’’, εκδ. Βουλή των Ελλήνων, Αθήνα, 2007, δ’ τόμος.
• ‘’Ατομικός Φάκελος ναυάρχου Ανδρέα Μιαούλη’’, Ιστορικό Αρχείο Μουσείο Ύδρας, Ύδρα, γ’ τετράδιο.
• Crawley, C.V., ’’John Capodistrias: Some Unpublished Documents’’, εκδ. Αριστοτελείου Πανεπιστημίου Θεσσαλονίκης, Θεσσαλονίκη, 1970.
• Rouiller, Jean-Luc, ‘’La bibliothèque de La Grange’’, εκδ.  La Baconnière: Bibliothèque de Genève, Γενεύη, 2011.
• Woodhouse, Christopher Montague, “Capodistria. The founder of Greek Independence”, εκδ. Oxford University Press, Λονδίνο, 1973.
• Grimsted Kennedy, Patricia, “Capodistrias and a ’new order’ for restoration Europe: the ’liberal ideas’ of a Russian Foreign Minister, 1814-1822”, περ. “The Journal of Modern History”, Σικάγο, 1968, τεύχος 40.
• Chapuisat, Edouard, “Journal de Jean-Gabriel Eynard publié avec une introduction et des notes”, εκδ. Plon Nouritt, Γενεύη, 1924,   α’ τόμος.
• Chapuisat, Edouard, “Jean-Gabriel Eynard et son temps : 1775-1863’, εκδ. A. Jullien, Γενεύη, 1952.
• Bouvier-Bron, Michelle, “Une jeunesse en Italie. Les années de formation de Jean Gabriel Eynard”, εκδ. Slatkine, Γενεύη, 2019.
• Driault, Edouard, “Etudes napoleoniennes”, εκδ. F. Alcan, Παρίσι, 1904.
• Συλλογή Diodati – Eynard 1685-1904, Βιβλιοθήκη της Γενεύης.
• “Αρχείο Αλεξάνδρου Μαυροκορδάτου”, Γενικά Αρχεία του Κράτους, Αθήνα.

 

 

Wilhelm Bellier de Launoy (? – 1826), was a German officer and Philhellene.

He served as an officer in the Cuirassier Regiment of the Prussian Royal Guard ^[1], during the Napoleonic Wars and fought against the French.

At the beginning of the Greek Revolution of 1821, he was a civilian living in Marseille, France. He was one of the first to join the Philhellenic Committee of Marseille, which he strengthened in various ways with his work.

One of the missions that the Committee assigned to him, led him in the Autumn of 1821, to move for the first time to Greece. Among others, he fought there in December in the Siege of Athens under the command of Demetrius Ypsilanti.^[2].

He then moved to England and joined the Philhellenic Committee of London. In 1823 he followed the British colonel and important Philhellene, Leicester Stanhope on a trip to Greece, with a final destination Messolonghi.^[3]. The journey began with a tour of Europe, with stops in Darmstadt, Germany, Zurich, Bern and Geneva in Switzerland, and Genoa in Italy. There, the two men met representatives of the local Philhellenic committees. Stanhope was also a member of the Philhellenic Committee of London, and was assigned (along with Lord Byron and Lazaros Kountouriotis) commissioner to manage the money of the first loan to Greece.

During his stay in Messolonghi, Bellier wrote a book titled “Einige Worte über Griechenland”, which describes the daily life and living conditions of Greek and Philhellene fighters.^[4].

In mid-1823 he returned briefly to England. On January 11, 1824 he followed the distinguished Philhellene Alexander Kolbe ^[5] (;-1860) and travelled with him again to Messolonghi ^[6]. There he fought with him in the campaign against Omer Vryonis in the plain of Ligovitsa^[7].

During his second stay in Messolonghi, Bellier de Launoy married a Greek woman^[8] and lived there until the Exodus.

His wife was the sister of Altana Inglesi, who was the wife of the prominent Swiss Philhellene and publisher of the ‘’Hellenic Chronicles’’, John Jacob Meyer^[9].

During the last siege of the city, Bellier de Launoy fought to defend it. In the end, he participated in the Exodus of Messolonghi and fell fighting heroically on April 10, 1826.^[10].

SHP honours the memory of Wilhelm Bellier de Launoy, a heroic Philhellene, who fought for the Independence of Greece, finally sacrificing his own life.

 

References

^[1] Περιοδικό “Εβδομάς”, Αθήνα, Έτος Α’(1884), τόμος Α’ αρ. 1. (χωρίς ημερ.) ως και αρ. 27, 2 Σεπτεμβρίου 1884, εκδ. Κορίννη, Αθήνα, 1884, σελ.8.
^[2] Bellier de Launoy, Wilhelm, “Einige Worte über Griechenland“, εκδ. Maurer, Μόναχο, 1823.
^[3] St Clair, William, “That Greece Might Still Be Free. The Philhellenes in the War of Independence”, εκδ. Open Book Publishers, Λονδίνο, 2008, σελ.159.
^[4] Bellier de Launoy, Wilhelm, “Einige Worte über Griechenland“, εκδ. Maurer, Μόναχο, 1823. Millingen, Julius, “Memoirs of the Affairs of Greece”, εκδ. John Rodwell, Λονδίνο, 1831.
^[5] Βλ. στο ίδιο, σελ. 160-161.
^[6] Τράιμπερ, Ερρίκος, “Αναμνήσεις από την Ελλάδα 1822-1828”, επιμ. δρ. Χρήστος Ν. Αποστολίδης, ιδ. εκδ., Αθήνα, 1960, σελ.59.
^[7] Περιοδικό “Εβδομάς”, Αθήνα, Έτος Α’(1884), τόμος Α’ αρ. 1. (χωρίς ημερ.) ως και αρ. 27, 2 Σεπτεμβρίου 1884, εκδ. Κορίννη, Αθήνα, 1884, σελ.59.
^[8] Βλ. στο ίδιο.
^[9] Ευαγγελάτος, Χρήστος, ‘’Οι Φιλέλληνες’’, ιδ. έκδ., Μεσολόγγι, 1937.
^[10] Βλ. στο ίδιο.

 

Bibliography – Sources

• Περιοδικό “Εβδομάς”, Αθήνα, Έτος Α’(1884), τόμος Α’ αρ. 1. (χωρίς ημερ.) ως και αρ. 27, 2 Σεπτεμβρίου 1884, εκδ. Κορίννη, Αθήνα, 1884.
• St Clair, William, “That Greece Might Still Be Free. The Philhellenes in the War of Independence”, εκδ. Open Book Publishers, Λονδίνο, 2008.
• Bellier de Launoy, Wilhelm, “Einige Worte über Griechenland“, εκδ. Maurer, Μόναχο, 1823.
• Millingen, Julius, “Memoirs of the Affairs of Greece”, εκδ. John Rodwell, Λονδίνο, 1831.
• Τράιμπερ, Ερρίκος, “Αναμνήσεις από την Ελλάδα 1822-1828”, επιμ. δρ. Χρήστος Ν. Αποστολίδης, ιδ. εκδ., Αθήνα, 1960.
• Ευαγγελάτος, Χρήστος, ‘’Οι Φιλέλληνες’’, ιδ. έκδ., Μεσολόγγι, 1937.