Kimon Friar

Kimon Friar (1911-1993) was one of the most distinguished American Hellenists of the post-war period. His real name was Kimon Kalogeropoulos. He was born in Kalalimnos of Propontis (Asia Minor) and moved to America at a young age. He studied at the Art Institute of Chicago, as well as at Yale University and the University of Wisconsin. Friar served as a professor at Adelphi College, Amherst College, and New York University, and was a visiting professor at many universities and institutions in America and Greece. Through his translation work, which includes Nikos Kazantzakis's "The Odyssey" and numerous poetic works by leading Greek poets (Cavafy, Elytis, Ritsos, Sachtouris, among others), he significantly contributed to the dissemination of Greek literature abroad. In 1975, he was honored with the Academy of Athens Award for his contributions. In 1977, he received the Ouranis Award for promoting modern Greek poetry internationally. He passed away on May 26, 1993. The American College of Athens, Deree, has established the annual international lectures in his name in his memory.