Alexander Negris

Alexander Negris
Ἀλέξανδρος Νέγρης
Bornc. 1805
Constantinople
Died1860/1880
Athens or Scotland
NationalityGreek
Other namesPhanariots
OccupationProfessor of Greek
Employer(s)Harvard
University of Glasgow
University of Edinburgh
Known forFreedom Fighter
Author
SpouseEliza Negris
Parents
  • Alexander Negris (father)
  • Eleni Ypsilanti (mother)
RelativesConst. Ypsilantis (grandfather)
Demetrios Ypsilantis (uncle)
Alexander Ypsilantis (uncle)
Konstantinos Negris (cousin)
Theodoros Negris (cousin)
FamilyNegris
Ypsilantis

Alexander Negris (c. 1805 - 1860/80; Greek: Ἀλέξανδρος Νέγρης) was a military colonel, author, philologist, and professor. He participated in the Greek War of Independence with other members of his family; indeed, he was a member of the phanariots family's Negris and Ypsilanti. He was the first lecturer of Modern Greek at Harvard University and set the framework for Evangelinos Apostolides Sophocles. He was a Greek language philologist and linguist and wrote countless books in Greek for the education of the English-speaking world. Negris was a member of different organizations all over the world and honorary member of the Archaeological Society of Athens. The Ypsilanti township in Michigan is named after his uncle Demetrios Ypsilantis.[1][2][3]

History

Alexander was born in Constantinople. The family was part of the Faneri district of Constantinople. His father was Alexander and his mother was Eleni. His grandfather was Constantine Ypsilantis. His uncles were Alexander Ypsilantis and Demetrios Ypsilantis.[4] Alexander became a member of the Filiki Eteria. They were one of the most important family alliances of the Greek War of Independence. He briefly visited Russia. When Alexander was sixteen the Greek War of Independence broke out and he was an active participant. He was the General Secretary for Western Greece. Towards the end of the 1820s he was dispatched to the United States. His cousin Konstantinos Negris was sent to study in France by Alexandros Mavrokordatos.[5] While Alexander was in the United States he lectured at Harvard University and began to publish books.[6][7]

By 1829, he traveled to Edinburgh Scotland. He published more books in Scotland. In 1838, he met Eliza Sweet in London. They got married and lived in Scotland. He eventually became a professor at the University of Glasgow.[8] In 1839, he lived at 13 Clyde Street in Edinburgh Scotland.[9] In 1846, they also lived at Saint Georg Square in the same city.[10] He traveled back and forth to Greece.[11] By 1852, he cowrote a church book with Alexandrou Sturza. The book was in Greek and Russian.

Literary

Books and Articles authored by Alexander Negris
Date Title
1828 A Grammar of the Modern Greek Language, with an Appendix Containing Original Specimens of Prose and Verse
1829 The Orations of Aeschines and Demosthenes on the Crown: With Modern Greek Prolegomena, and English Notes
1831 A Dictionary of Modern Greek Proverbs with an English Translation, Explanatory Remarks, and Philological Illustrations
1834 Xenophon's Anabasis School Edition with English Notes
1835 Xenophon's Expedition of Cyrus, in Seven Books, with Various Readings, Notes, and Index
1835 The Works of Pindar: With Various Readings, Notes, and Emendations
1843 The History of Herodotus In Nine Books
Books and Articles in another Language authored by Alexander Negris
Date Title Translation
1852 Επιστολαί περί των καθηκόντων της ιερωσύνης, / Συγγραφείσα μεν Ρωσσιστί υπό Αλεξάνδρου Στούρζα, Εξελληνισθείσα δε υπό Αλεξάνδρου Νέγρη. Epistles Concerning the Duties of the Priesthood / Written in Russian under Alexandrou Sturza, Hellenized under Alexandrou Negri.

References

  1. ^ Staff Writers (October 17, 2022). "Program of Modern Greek Studies". Harvard University. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
  2. ^ Friedrich & Carl 1841, pp. 1–6.
  3. ^ Filippou 2009, pp. 29, 30, 36, 37.
  4. ^ Staff Writers (October 15, 2022). "Negris Family Tree". Greek Family Trees. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  5. ^ Volkert, Menghini & Barbin 2019, pp. 124.
  6. ^ Friedrich & Carl 1841, pp. 1.
  7. ^ Filippou 2009, pp. 29–30.
  8. ^ Negris, Alexander (1838). Testimonials in Favour of Mr. Alexander Negris, a Candidate for the Professorship of Greek in the University of Glasgow. Edinburgh, Scotland: James Hedderwick and Son, Printer. pp. 1–10.
  9. ^ Staff Writers (October 17, 2022). "Scottish Post Office Directories 1837-38". National Library of Scotland. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
  10. ^ Staff Writers (October 17, 2022). "Scottish Post Office Directories 1845-46". National Library of Scotland. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
  11. ^ Dickson 1852, pp. 49–50.

Bibliography