{"product_id":"1855-nikolaos-dragoumis-letter-to-u-s-minister-roger-a-pryor-george-washington-and-american-support-for-greek-independence","title":"1855 Nikolaos Dragoumis Letter to U.S. Minister Roger A. Pryor — George Washington and American Support for Greek Independence","description":"\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eImportant autograph letter signed by \u003cstrong\u003eNikolaos Dragoumis\u003c\/strong\u003e, Greek statesman, writer and publisher, addressed to United States Minister Roger Atkinson Pryor, Athens, November 5, 1855.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWriting in French, Dragoumis thanks Pryor for presenting him with a copy of \u003cem\u003eThe Life of George Washington\u003c\/em\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDragoumis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe recipient was almost certainly \u003cstrong\u003eRoger A. Pryor\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNikolaos 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 \u003cem\u003ePandora\u003c\/em\u003e. He was the father of future Greek prime minister Stephanos Dragoumis and grandfather of diplomat and political thinker Ion Dragoumis.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA remarkable document uniting George Washington, Greek independence, American philanthropy, education and nineteenth-century U.S.–Greek diplomacy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThree 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Signature Documents LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52735008604442,"sku":null,"price":795.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2221\/0931\/files\/IMG_2439.jpg?v=1787515877","url":"https:\/\/www.thearchiveauthority.com\/products\/1855-nikolaos-dragoumis-letter-to-u-s-minister-roger-a-pryor-george-washington-and-american-support-for-greek-independence","provider":"Signature Documents LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}