Alexander Negris Explained

Alexander Negris
Native Name:Ἀλέξανδρος Νέγρης
Native Name Lang:Greek
Birth Date:c. 1805
Birth Place:Constantinople
Death Date:1860/1880
Death Place:Athens or Scotland
Nationality:Greek
Other Names:Phanariots
Occupation:Professor of Greek
Employer:Harvard
University of Glasgow
University of Edinburgh
Known For:Freedom Fighter
Author
Spouse:Eliza Negris
Mother:Eleni Ypsilanti
Father:Alexander Negris
Relatives:Const. Ypsilantis (grandfather)
Demetrios Ypsilantis (uncle)
Alexander Ypsilantis (uncle)
Konstantinos Negris (cousin)
Theodoros Negris (cousin)

Alexander Negris (c. 1805 - 1860/80; Greek, Modern (1453-);: 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]

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.[2] 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. While Alexander was in the United States he lectured at Harvard University and began to publish books.

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.[3] In 1839, he lived at 13 Clyde Street in Edinburgh Scotland.[4] In 1846, they also lived at Saint Georg Square in the same city.[5] He traveled back and forth to Greece. 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
1828A Grammar of the Modern Greek Language, with an Appendix Containing Original Specimens of Prose and Verse
1829The Orations of Aeschines and Demosthenes on the Crown: With Modern Greek Prolegomena, and English Notes
1831A Dictionary of Modern Greek Proverbs with an English Translation, Explanatory Remarks, and Philological Illustrations
1834Xenophon's Anabasis School Edition with English Notes
1835Xenophon's Expedition of Cyrus, in Seven Books, with Various Readings, Notes, and Index
1835The Works of Pindar: With Various Readings, Notes, and Emendations
1843The History of Herodotus In Nine Books

References

  1. Web site: Program of Modern Greek Studies. Harvard University . Staff Writers. October 17, 2022. October 17, 2022.
  2. Web site: Negris Family Tree. Greek Family Trees. Staff Writers. October 15, 2022. October 15, 2022.
  3. Book: Negris . Alexander . 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. 1838. 1–10.
  4. Web site: Scottish Post Office Directories 1837-38. National Library of Scotland . Staff Writers. October 17, 2022. October 17, 2022.
  5. Web site: Scottish Post Office Directories 1845-46. National Library of Scotland . Staff Writers. October 17, 2022. October 17, 2022.

Bibliography