George Finlay, British Philhellene, fighter during the Greek Revolution, important historian and lawyer

 

 

George Finlay (1799-1875), was a British Philhellene who fought in Greece during the Greek Revolution, an important historian and lawyer.

He was born in Faversham, Kent, to Scottish parents. George Finlay’s father, John Finlay was an officer in the British Army with the rank of Captain in the Corps of Engineers. Among other things, he was an inspector of the local state gunpowder factory[1].

Finlay had a difficult childhood, as in 1802, at the age of just 3, he became fatherless[2]. So he moved to Glasgow with his mother, where they came under the protection of his uncle, Kirkman Finlay (1773-1842), a businessman and politician[3].

Finlay’s love of history, especially of antiquity, began in childhood and under the influence of his mother[4]. It is perhaps there, that the foundations of his later Philhellenism were laid, which professed with his participation in the Greek Revolution of 1821 and with his permanent settlement in Athens, after the liberation of Greece.

Between 1815 and 1819, Finlay studied law at the University of Glasgow, where he received his academic degree[5]. Then in 1821, he enrolled in Georg-August-Universität in Göttingen, Saxony for postgraduate studies in Roman law. It is during his stay there that learned about the Greek Revolution, embracing immediately its messages, since in addition to his adoration of history, he had already been influenced by the poetry and work of Lord Byron[6].

As a result, on January 1823 he decided to abandon his studies in Göttingen and he returned to Great Britain[7]. Although he did not become a member of the Philhellenic Committee of London, which was founded on 28 February 1823, he was closely associated with Lord Byron, who was one of its founding members[8].

His personal friendship with Byron, his love for history and the constitutive Philhellenism that Finlay possessed, led him in October 1823, to his decision to go to Greece. Thus, in November 1823, he arrived at Cephalonia, which was under British rule. There he was greeted by Lord Byron, who was hosted at the house of Count Deladetsimas, a friend of Alexander Mavrokordatos and sponsor of the Messolonghi guard[9].

Then, in December 1823, Finlay settled in the Tower of Ilia, where he was taking notes on the events of the Greek war of independence, while in parallel he was learning the Greek language and studying history and antiquities[10].However, due to the humid climate of the area, in October 1824 he ailed of ague. In order to recover, he went to Rome in November 1824, and remained there until February 1825[11].

From February to May 1825, he resided in Naples and Sicily, where he fully recovered[12]. In June 1825, he returned to Great Britain and settled in Toward Castle in Argyllshire, which belonged to the family of his uncle, Kirkman Finlay[13]. There, he devoted himself to study, with the aim of completing his postgraduate studies at the University of Edinburgh[14].

Finally, in the winter of 1825, he received his master’s degree from the University of Edinburgh[15]. Hereupon, he took part in philhellenic actions. Among other things, he wrote pamphlets informing the British public about the situation in Greece[16].

During the second period of his Philhellenic activity, Finlay was closely associated from April 1826, with the emblematic Philhellenic and National Benefactor of Greece, Captain Frank Abney Hastings. During this period, Hastings had bought in his name, on behalf of the Greek government, the steamship ship “Karteria”. The first steam-powered warship of the Greek Fleet, which was built and equipped at the “Greenland Dock” shipyards in London. The ship was purchased in the name of Hastings for diplomatic reasons. Indeed, it was not possible at this time for a Revolutionary (and therefore technically illegal) government to officially buy a warship that would be used against a recognized country. In fact, Hastings allocated a large part of his personal fortune to equip ‘’Karteria’’ with weaponry that he had designed[17]. Finlay followed these initiatives with Hastings.

At the same time, through Hastings, Finlay came in contact with Admiral Thomas Cochrane, 10th Earl of Dundonald, later commander of the Greek Navy. Cochrane was a legend at the time because of his military and political action during the Napoleonic Wars, as well as his contribution to the liberation of South American countries from Spanish and Portuguese rule in the period 1818-1824, and the prospect of his involvement in the Greek Revolution opened new perspectives for the struggle of the Greeks[18].

Finlay’s friendship with Hastings, his proven philhellenism, but also his experience of Greek life, contributed to his appointment as Hastings’ secretary. From this position, he took part in the majority of naval operations and battles of the period 1826 – 1827.

In July 1826, when “Karteria” had sailed to Cagliari, Sardinia, and encountered mechanical problems, Finlay (on Hastings’ orders) hurried back to London to recruit engineers and buy spare parts[19].

This important mission was successfully completed, the mechanical damage was repaired, and the “Karteria” arrived in Nafplio, at the beginning of September 1826. There this emblematic ship was enthusiastically received by the Greeks, and Hastings handed it over officially to the Greek Administration officially[20].

A few days later, the Greek flag was raised at “Karteria”, and the second period of Finlay’s action in Greece began, who was now serving as a member of the crew of the emblematic boat.

On February 5, 1827, he participated in the operations to support the landing in Piraeus of the Greek Forces under the important British Philhellene general Thomas Gordon, as well as in the bombing of St. Spyridon. With this operation, 3 of the 5 large caliber cannons, which had been installed there by the Turks, causing losses to the Greek forces, were destroyed[21].

In March 1827, Finlay took part in the siege of Eretria and in the operations in Oropos, led by the important Bavarian Philhellene, General Karl Wilhelm von Heideck, later a member of King Otto’s Regency[22]. This operation aimed at destroying the supply lines of the Turkish troops besieging the Acropolis of Athens. The strategic goal was the expulsion of the Turks from Attica and the end of the siege of the Acropolis[23].

In this operation, the “Karteria” captured two rival cargo ships, which had arrived from Evia, in order to assist the Turks. He then anchored 200 meters from the shore and with continuous fire, he neutralized the Turkish fort and blew up its gunpowder depot[24]. After that, he sailed to Aegina, as enemy reinforcements had arrived in the area[25].

On April 8, 1827, Finlay took part in the bombing of Volos, which was the most important supply center in Thessaly. The shipments of men and ammunition from Constantinople and Thessaloniki ended there, before they penetrated to Central Greece [26]. “Karteria” fired 300 shells, in an operation that lasted 4 hours and resulted in the destruction of the Ottoman gunpowder depots and fortifications, as well as the sinking of most Turkish ships[27]. On the way back, Karteria captured 4 cargo ships, which were sent to support the Turks[28].

 

 

From May to September 1827, Finlay took part (always as a member of the crew of Karteria) in all the naval operations that contributed to the success of the Greek Revolution, in conjunction with the Treaty of London signed on July 6, 1827. In particular, he distinguished himself in the Battle of Itea, on September 30, 1827, where the “Karteria” sank the Turkish flagship and destroyed 9 of the 11 Turkish ships stationed there. Also, after the naval battle, three large carriers and their cargos were confiscated[29]. In this naval battle, the Greek side introduced many innovations in the field of naval operations, with the use of a steam-powered warship and new artillery techniques, which were the subject of international research[30].

The Battle of Itea, finally convinced the Greeks to abandon the tactic of building a fleet by leasing private ships and to create an entirely government owned navy that would be under state supervision. Those who have rented their ships to the state up to that time, received certificates for their offer[31].

After the Battle of Itea, Finlay retired to Poros for health reasons and was replaced by the Georgios Economides, who was officially appointed interim secretary of Hastings by Ioannis Kapodistrias, as soon as he took office as Governor of Greece on the 18th of January 1828, in order to facilitate Hastings in his work to create the National Fleet[32].

During this time, Finlay continues to correspond with Hastings. This great British Philhellene died on June 1, 1828, further to his fatal injury during the attempt to land to Aetoliko, with the aim of liberating Missolonghi. When this became known, Kapodistrias informed Finlay, and Hastings close Greek friend Nikolaos Kallergis, with the following letter: “Captain Hastings is no more. The fatal wound he received, while giving new examples of his devotion to Greece under the walls of Aetoliko, took him away from us on June 1st”.

After praising Hastings’ services, he underlines the duty of the Greeks in memory of the “brave defender of our independence who suffered that fatal wound for us, he was a good man, a soldier and a brave sailor. A military and naval funeral belongs to him par excellence”.

At Hastings’ funeral, which took place in Aegina on June 13, 1828, Finlay, the Secretary of the Navy, Alexandros Mavrokordatos, and Nikolaos Kallergis, had the general command. Recalling Hastings’s funeral years later, Finlay wrote: “Never have foreigners perhaps lamented a more sincere and profound manly stranger for his untimely demise. When the numerous Greek sailors who served from time to time learned of his death at his command, they immediately raised a large sum of money and executed a memorial service in the Diocese of Aegina through the Greek clergy after every procession and line-up there during these turbulent times“[33]. He concludes, as follows: “what the Greek fleet could become if Captain Hastings lived only those who knew him and saw what measures he took to recruit naval officers can imagine”[34].

After Hastings’s funeral, Finlay settled permanently in Athens. There, he bought and renovated in 1835, an old building which was built during the Turkish occupation, on Kekropos Street in Plaka. At the same time, he bought the Liosati estate in Afidnes, in order to apply the new European cultivation methods. However, this vision failed and he was forced to sell this land to General and later Minister Scarlatos Soutzos, a descendant of a significant Phanariote family of the Greek Revolution[35].

When his attempt to renew the cultivation systems failed, Finlay turned to writing essays on the social, political and economic situation of Greece. Thus in 1836 he wrote the essays “The Hellenic Kingdom and the Greek Nation” and “Essai sur les principes de banque appliques a l’état actuel de la Grèce“, which show his insight and sharpness. In fact, in his works he connects the economy with society, which was a new method at that time for scientific research[36].

In 1838 he was named a member of the American Archaeological Society, while in 1839, he was honored by King Othon with the Silver Cross of the Order of the Redeemer and the Bronze Award of the Greek War of Independence, in recognition of his services during the Greek Revolution[37].

From 1844, he dedicated himself to his important historical work, in which he was a pioneer, as he was the first historian in Greece, who understood the dynamics of the society for the conduct and evolution of history. The first fruit of this work is his book “Greece under the Romans: a historical view of the condition of the Greek Nation“, which was published in Edinburgh in 1844[38]. Then, from 1846 to 1847, he traveled to the Holy Land, for the purpose of field research, which would bring greater objectivity to his work. This trip resulted in the writing of the book “On the Site of the Holy Sepulcher“, which explained in detail the situation prevailing in the Near East and contained a topographic plan of Jerusalem[39]. Also, after this trip, he published “The History of the Byzantine and Greek Empires from 716-1453“, in 1854[40].

 

Finlay, in recognition of his work and contribution to the Hellenic Movement, was honored in 1854 with the title of Honorary Doctor of Law from the University of Edinburgh. In the period 1856 – 1861, despite the fact that his health was shaken by the adventures of the National Uprising, he completed his scientific work with the books “History of Greece under the Ottoman and Venetian Domination“, “History of Greece From its Conquest by the Crusaders to its Conquest by the Turks” and “History of the Greek Revolution”[41].

The last book, which is the epitome of Finlay’s work, is particularly important, on the one hand because it was written by an internationally renowned historian, and on the other hand, because it combines primary experience with continuous, on-site research and study[42]. In fact, until the end of his life, he revised it many times, seeking the utmost objectivity.

His book was translated into Greek by Alexandros Papadiamantis in 1908 and was published only in 2008 by the Greek Parliament[43].

Finlay’s last intervention in Greek and European public life was as a correspondent for the ‘’Times’’ of London from 1864 to 1870, when he retired spending the rest of his life in private[44].

George Finlay passed away in Athens on January 26, 1875. His tomb is in the First Cemetery of Athens.

The Greeks and SHP express their gratitude to the great Philhellene George Finlay, who fought for the Greek rights and who, through innovative methods in historical research, opened new paths in historical science and through it in culture.

 

References

[1] Chisholm, Hugh, “Finlay, George”, εκδ. Cambridge University Press, Λονδίνο, 1911, εγκ. “Encyclopædia Britannica”, 10^ος τόμος.
[2] Cousin, John William, “A Short Biographical Dictionary of English Literature”, εκδ. J. M. Dent & Sons, Λονδίνο, 1910.
[3] Συλλογικό, “Dictionary of National Biography”, εκδ. Smith, Elder & Co, Λονδίνο, 1889, τόμος 19.
[4] Cousin, John William, “A Short Biographical Dictionary of English Literature”, εκδ. J. M. Dent & Sons, Λονδίνο, 1910.
[5] Συλλογικό, “Εγκυκλοπαίδεια Δομή”, εκδ. Δομή, Αθήνα, 2005, τόμος 30, σελ. 81.
[6] St Clair, William, “That Greece Might Still Be Free. The Philhellenes in the War of Independence”, εκδ. Open Books, Λονδίνο, 2008, σελ. 176.
[7] Βλ. στο ίδιο.
[8] Moore, Thomas, “Letters and Journals of Lord Byron with Notices of His Life”, εκδ. J. & J. Harper, Νέα Υόρκη, 1831, β’ τόμος.
[9] Βλ. στο ίδιο.
[10] Συλλογικό, “Εγκυκλοπαίδεια Δομή”, εκδ. Δομή, Αθήνα, 2005, τόμος 30, σελ. 81.
[11] Βλ. στο ίδιο.
[12] Woodhouse, Christopher Montague, ”The Philhellenes”, εκδ. Hodder and Stoughton, Λονδίνο, 1969.
[13] Συλλογικό, “ Dictionary of National Biography”, εκδ. Smith, Elder & Co, Λονδίνο, 1889, τόμος 19.
[14] Chisholm, Hugh, “Finlay, George”, εκδ. Cambridge University Press, Λονδίνο, 1911, εγκ. “Encyclopædia Britannica”, 10^ος τόμος.
[15] Βλ. στο ίδιο.
[16] “Αρχείο George Finlay” (ανέκδοτο), φακ. εγγρ. 1826, Βρετανική Σχολή Αθηνών.
[17] Woodhouse, Christopher Montague, ”The Philhellenes”, εκδ. Hodder and Stoughton, Λονδίνο, 1969.
[18] Βλ. στο ίδιο.
[19] Abney-Hastings, Maurice, “Commander of the Karteria. Honored in Greece. Unknown at home”, εκδ. Authorhouse, Bloomington, 2011.
[20] Ράδος, Κωνσταντίνος, “Ο Άστιγξ και το έργον του εν Ελλάδι”, εκδ. περ. “Ναυτική Επιθεώρησις”, Αθήνα, 1928.
[21] Gordon, Thomas, “Ιστορία της Ελληνικής Επαναστάσεως”, εκδ. ΜΙΕΤ , Αθήνα, 2015, β’ τόμος.
[22] Seewald, Berthold, “Karl Wilhelm Von Heideck: Ein Bayerischer General Im Befreiten Griechenland (1826-1835)”, εκδ. De Gruyter, Ολδεμβούργο, 1994.
[23] Roberts, Elisabeth, “Freedom, Faction, Fame and Blood: British Soldiers of Conscience in Greece, Spain and Finland”, εκδ. Sussex Academic Press, Brighton, 2010.
[24] Τράϊμπερ, Ερρίκος, “Αναμνήσεις από την Ελλάδα 1822-1828”, μτφρ.-επιμ. Δρ. Χρήστος Ν. Αποστολίδης, ιδ. εκδ., Αθήνα, 1960.
[25] Βλ. στο ίδιο.
[26] Παπασωτηρίου, Χαράλαμπος, ”Ο αγώνας για την ελληνική ανεξαρτησία. Πολιτική και στρατηγική των Ελλήνων και της οθωμανικής αυτοκρατορίας 1821-1832”, εκδ. Ι. Σιδέρης, Αθήνα, 1996.
[27] Κόκκινος, Διονύσιος, “Η Ελληνική Επανάστασις”, εκδ. Μέλισσα, Αθήνα, 1974, 6^ος τόμος.
[28] Βλ. στο ίδιο.
[29] Ρούσκας, Ιωάννης, “Ο Άστιγξ και η Καρτερία”, εκδ. περ. “Ιστορικά Θέματα”, Αθήνα, Φεβρουάριος 2007, τεύχος 59.
[30] Brewer, David, ”The Greek War of Independence. The Struggle for Freedom from Ottoman Oppression and the Birth of the Modern Greek Nation”, εκδ. The Overlook Press, Νέα Υόρκη, 2001.
[31] Οικονόμου, Μιχαήλ , “Ιστορικά της Ελληνικής Παλιγγενεσίας ή ο ιερός των Ελλήνων αγών” εκδ. Θ. Παπαλεξανδρή, Αθήνα, 1873.
[32] Finlay, George, “Ιστορία της Ελληνικής Επαναστάσεως”, μτφρ. Παπαδιαμάντης, Αλέξανδρος, εκδ. Βουλή των Ελλήνων, Αθήνα, 2008, α’ τόμος, σελ. 218.
[33] Finlay, George, “Ιστορία της Ελληνικής Επαναστάσεως”, μτφρ. Παπαδιαμάντης, Αλέξανδρος, εκδ. Βουλή των Ελλήνων, Αθήνα, 2008, β’ τόμος.
[34] Βλ. στο ίδιο.
[35] Σούτζος, Δημήτρης Σκαρλάτου, “Έλληνες Ενωμένοι και Διχασμένοι”, εκδ. Νέα Θέσις, Αθήνα, 1992.
[36] Chisholm, Hugh, “Finlay, George”, εκδ. Cambridge University Press, Λονδίνο, 1911, εγκ. “Encyclopædia Britannica”, 10^ος τόμος.
[37] Μαρκεζίνης, Σπύρος, «Πολιτική Ιστορία της Νεωτέρας Ελλάδος 1828-1964», εκδ. Πάπυρος, Αθήνα, 1966, α’ τόμος.
[38] Finlay, George,” Greece under the Romans: a historical view of the condition of the Greek Nation”, εκδ. William Blackwood & Sons, Εδιμβούργο, 1850.
[39] Finlay, George, “On the Site of the Holy Sepulchre”, εκδ. William Blackwood & Sons, Εδιμβούργο, 1848.
[40] Finlay, George, “The History of the Byzantine and Greek Empires from 716-1453”, εκδ. William Blackwood & Sons, Εδιμβούργο, 1856.
[41] Cousin, John William, “A Short Biographical Dictionary of English Literature”, εκδ. J. M. Dent & Sons, Λονδίνο, 1910.
[42] Βλ. στο ίδιο.
[43] Finlay, George, “Ιστορία της Ελληνικής Επαναστάσεως”, μτφρ. Παπαδιαμάντης, Αλέξανδρος, εκδ. Βουλή των Ελλήνων, Αθήνα, 2008, α’ τόμος.
[44] Μαρκεζίνης, Σπύρος, «Πολιτική Ιστορία της Νεωτέρας Ελλάδος 1828-1964», εκδ. Πάπυρος, Αθήνα, 1966, α’ τόμος.
 

Bibliography – Sources

• Cousin, John William, “A Short Biographical Dictionary of English Literature”, εκδ. J. M. Dent & Sons, Λονδίνο, 1910.
• Μαρκεζίνης, Σπύρος, «Πολιτική Ιστορία της Νεωτέρας Ελλάδος 1828-1964», εκδ. Πάπυρος, Αθήνα, 1966, α’ τόμος.
• Chisholm, Hugh, “Finlay, George”, εκδ. Cambridge University Press, Λονδίνο, 1911, εγκ. “Encyclopædia Britannica”, 10ος τόμος.
• Σούτζος, Δημήτρης Σκαρλάτου, “Έλληνες Ενωμένοι και Διχασμένοι”, εκδ. Νέα Θέσις, Αθήνα, 1992.
• Finlay, George, “Ιστορία της Ελληνικής Επαναστάσεως”, μτφρ. Παπαδιαμάντης, Αλέξανδρος , εκδ. Βουλή των Ελλήνων, Αθήνα, 2008, α’ τόμος.
• Finlay, George, “Ιστορία της Ελληνικής Επαναστάσεως”, μτφρ. Παπαδιαμάντης, Αλέξανδρος , εκδ. Βουλή των Ελλήνων, Αθήνα, 2008, β’ τόμος.
• Καποδίστριας, Ιωάννης, ”Αρχείον Ιωάννου Καποδίστρια”, εκδ. Εταιρείας Κερκυραϊκών Σπουδών, Κέρκυρα, 1985, 6ος τόμος.
• Οικονόμου, Μιχαήλ, “Ιστορικά της Ελληνικής Παλιγγενεσίας ή ο ιερός των Ελλήνων αγών” εκδ. Θ. Παπαλεξανδρή, Αθήνα, 1873.
• Brewer, David, ”The Greek War of Independence. The Struggle for Freedom from Ottoman Oppression and the Birth of the Modern Greek Nation”, εκδ. The Overlook Press, Νέα Υόρκη, 2001.
• Παπασωτηρίου, Χαράλαμπος, ”Ο αγώνας για την ελληνική ανεξαρτησία. Πολιτική και στρατηγική των Ελλήνων και της οθωμανικής αυτοκρατορίας 1821-1832”, εκδ. Ι. Σιδέρης, Αθήνα, 1996.
• Seewald, Berthold, “Karl Wilhelm Von Heideck: Ein Bayerischer General Im Befreiten Griechenland (1826-1835)”, εκδ. De Gruyter, Ολδεμβούργο, 1994.
• Ράδος, Κωνσταντίνος, «Ο Άστιγξ και το έργον του εν Ελλάδι», εκδ. περ. “Ναυτική Επιθεώρησις”, Αθήνα, 1928.
• Abney-Hastings, Maurice, “Commander of the Karteria. Honored in Greece. Unknown at home”, εκδ. Authorhouse, Bloomington, 2011.
• Woodhouse, Christopher Montague, ”The Philhellenes”, εκδ. Hodder and Stoughton, Λονδίνο, 1969.
• Συλλογικό, “Dictionary of National Biography”, εκδ. Smith, Elder & Co, Λονδίνο, 1889, τόμος
• Συλλογικό, “Εγκυκλοπαίδεια Δομή”, εκδ. Δομή, Αθήνα, 2005, τόμος 30.
• St Clair, William, “That Greece Might Still Be Free. The Philhellenes in the War of Independence”, εκδ. Open Books, Λονδίνο, 2008.
• Moore, Thomas, “Letters and Journals of Lord Byron with Notices of His Life”, εκδ. & J. Harper, Νέα Υόρκη, 1831, β’ τόμος.
• Κόκκινος, Διονύσιος, “Η Ελληνική Επανάστασις”, εκδ. Μέλισσα, Αθήνα, 1974, 6ος τόμος.
• Finlay, George,” Greece under the Romans: a historical view of the condition of the Greek Nation”, εκδ. William Blackwood & Sons, Εδιμβούργο, 1850.
• Finlay, George, “The History of the Byzantine and Greek Empires from 716-1453”, εκδ. William Blackwood & Sons, Εδιμβούργο, 1856.
• Finlay, George, “On the Site of the Holy Sepulchre”, εκδ. William Blackwood & Sons, Εδιμβούργο, 1848.
• Ρούσκας, Ιωάννης, “Ο Άστιγξ και η Καρτερία”, εκδ. περ. “Ιστορικά Θέματα”, Αθήνα, Φεβρουάριος 2007, τεύχος 59.
• Τράϊμπερ, Ερρίκος, “Αναμνήσεις από την Ελλάδα 1822-1828”, μτφρ.-επιμ. Δρ. Χρήστος Ν. Αποστολίδης, ιδ. εκδ., Αθήνα, 1960.
• Roberts, Elisabeth, “Freedom, Faction, Fame and Blood: British Soldiers of Conscience in Greece, Spain and Finland”, εκδ. Sussex Academic Press, Brighton, 2010.
• “Αρχείο George Finlay” (ανέκδοτο), φακ. εγγρ. 1826, Βρετανική Σχολή Αθηνών.
• Gordon, Thomas, “Ιστορία της Ελληνικής Επαναστάσεως”, εκδ. ΜΙΕΤ , Αθήνα, 2015, β’ τόμος.