Romantic poet Lord Byron’s life celebrated in bicentennial event at University of Bolton’s partner college in Athens

21/05/2024

Romantic poet Lord Byron’s life celebrated in bicentennial event at University of Bolton’s partner college in Athens

A distinguished academic delivered a keynote address at a partner college of the University of Bolton in Greece commemorating the 200th anniversary of the death of the poet Lord Byron.

Dr Corin Throsby, from the University of Cambridge, who is an expert in the life and work of Byron, gave a ground-breaking lecture at the special Bicentenary Anniversary Event hosted by New York College (NYC) Athens.

From left to right: Professor George E Holmes DL DSc, Dr Corin Throsby and Elias Foutsis, Hon PhD

From left to right: Professor George E Holmes DL DSc, Dr Corin Throsby and Elias Foutsis, Hon PhD

She was joined on the podium by Professor George E Holmes DL DSc, President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Bolton, Greater Manchester and Elias Foutsis, President and Founder of the NYC Educational Group.

Dr Throsby, who is also a BBC broadcaster, flew from Australia to Greece to deliver the ground-breaking lecture on 16 April, entitled ‘Byron, the Unparalleled Phenomenon: From Great Poet to National Leader in the Greek War of Independence’.

Romantic poet Lord Byron’s life celebrated in bicentennial event at University of Bolton’s partner college in Athens

One of the greatest British poets of all time, George Gordon Byron was born on 22 January 1788 and is considered as something of a folk hero in Greece. In later life he joined the Greek War of Independence to fight the Ottoman Empire, for which Greeks revere him. He died leading a campaign on died on 19 April 1824, at the age of 36, from a fever contracted after the first and second sieges of Missolonghi.

Dr Throsby’s lecture aimed to reshape perceptions of Byron in Greece and beyond. She talked about his multifaceted influence, portraying him as the first celebrity of modern history, whose impact rivalled even today's influencers and stars.

Major General Demetrios Economides and Dr Corin Throsby on the panel

Major General Demetrios Economides and Dr Corin Throsby on the panel

Dr Throsby also emphasised how Byron’s global renown in championing underdog causes made him the natural choice to spearhead Greece’s liberation efforts during the Greek War of Independence. She also showed how Byron’s celebrity influenced other foreigners to join the Greek War.

In his opening remarks, Professor Holmes said: “We have a very close relationship with New York College. We are now a Top 30 UK university and we are working here in Athens to provide the best possible education to students.

Dr Corin Throsby delivering her keynote speech in the  Assembly Hall of the Old Parliament on 16 April

Dr Corin Throsby delivering her keynote speech in the Assembly Hall of the Old Parliament on 16 April

“Byron was the architect of an enduring alliance between the United Kingdom and Greece. It is with great pleasure and honour that I welcome you.”

The event took place in the Assembly Hall of the Old Parliament in the Greek capital. This historic venue now houses Greece’s National Historical Museum, which boasts a special wing showcasing Byron’s personal artifacts.

Major General Economides, officially representing General Demetrios Choupis, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Greece, joined Dr Throsby on the panel, along with Dr Vasilios Skianis, Dean of Academic Affairs of NYC, Lt General (Ret) Nikolaos Pitsolis and Dr Antonia Svensson, Head of the Psychology Department and Associate Dean of NYC.

Defence Minister of Greece Nikos Dendias delivers his address on Lord Byron in the Wren Library of Trinity College Cambridge

Defence Minister of Greece Nikos Dendias delivers his address on Lord Byron in the Wren Library of Trinity College Cambridge

Dr Throsby flew from Athens to attend a two-day Byron Festival Conference at Trinity College Cambridge, the next day where she delivered an academic paper.

New York College is a modern educational group, founded in 1989, and is one of the largest and fastest growing multinational educational organisations in Southeast Europe. It offers Foundation, Undergraduate, Masters and PhD degrees in a wide range of specialist fields through academic collaborations with prestigious universities in the USA and Europe, including the University of Bolton.

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