1855 Nikolaos Dragoumis Letter to U.S. Minister Roger A. Pryor — George Washington and American Support for Greek Independence
Important autograph letter signed by Nikolaos Dragoumis, Greek statesman, writer and publisher, addressed to United States Minister Roger Atkinson Pryor, Athens, November 5, 1855.
Writing in French, Dragoumis thanks Pryor for presenting him with a copy of The Life of George Washington, published for the American Sunday-School Union. He describes Washington as the “glorious founder of the independence of the United States” and explains his desire to translate the volume for young Greek readers.
Dragoumis offers a particularly moving tribute to the United States for its support of Greece during the struggle for independence. At a time when “three parts of the world” were hostile to the Greek cause, he writes, America alone provided material assistance. He specifically mentions American-supported schools established in Greece and ships sent to aid the country, declaring that the names of George Washington and the United States had become permanently associated with Greece’s national rebirth.
He asks permission to place the name of the American minister at the head of his Greek translation, believing that no name could provide the work with greater authority than that of the representative of the United States.
The recipient was almost certainly Roger A. Pryor, United States Minister to Greece from 1854 to 1857. Pryor later became a U.S. congressman, Confederate congressman and brigadier general, and a prominent New York attorney and judge.
Nikolaos Dragoumis was an important participant in the intellectual development of modern Greece. In 1855 he became sole proprietor and editor of the influential literary journal Pandora. He was the father of future Greek prime minister Stephanos Dragoumis and grandfather of diplomat and political thinker Ion Dragoumis.
A remarkable document uniting George Washington, Greek independence, American philanthropy, education and nineteenth-century U.S.–Greek diplomacy.
Three manuscript pages on a folded sheet. Very good condition, with original folds, light toning, minor spotting and some ink show-through. The writing and signature remain strong and legible.
Important autograph letter signed by Nikolaos Dragoumis, Greek statesman, writer and publisher, addressed to United States Minister Roger Atkinson Pryor, Athens, November 5, 1855.
Writing in French, Dragoumis thanks Pryor for presenting him with a copy of The Life of George Washington, published for the American Sunday-School Union. He describes Washington as the “glorious founder of the independence of the United States” and explains his desire to translate the volume for young Greek readers.
Dragoumis offers a particularly moving tribute to the United States for its support of Greece during the struggle for independence. At a time when “three parts of the world” were hostile to the Greek cause, he writes, America alone provided material assistance. He specifically mentions American-supported schools established in Greece and ships sent to aid the country, declaring that the names of George Washington and the United States had become permanently associated with Greece’s national rebirth.
He asks permission to place the name of the American minister at the head of his Greek translation, believing that no name could provide the work with greater authority than that of the representative of the United States.
The recipient was almost certainly Roger A. Pryor, United States Minister to Greece from 1854 to 1857. Pryor later became a U.S. congressman, Confederate congressman and brigadier general, and a prominent New York attorney and judge.
Nikolaos Dragoumis was an important participant in the intellectual development of modern Greece. In 1855 he became sole proprietor and editor of the influential literary journal Pandora. He was the father of future Greek prime minister Stephanos Dragoumis and grandfather of diplomat and political thinker Ion Dragoumis.
A remarkable document uniting George Washington, Greek independence, American philanthropy, education and nineteenth-century U.S.–Greek diplomacy.
Three manuscript pages on a folded sheet. Very good condition, with original folds, light toning, minor spotting and some ink show-through. The writing and signature remain strong and legible.
