“History of Modern Greek Literature” by K. T. Dimaras

The historical and coherent comprehension of modern Greek literature and Enlightenment and Romanticism in Greece would have been challenging without the meticulous work of K.T. Dimaras (1904-1992.) In 1949, our "national linguist" compiled the first systematically organized history of modern Greek literature, an unprecedented and fundamental accomplishment. Based on his European, humanistic education as well as on his Greek heritage, he fought to affirm that Greek and European traditions were inherently integrated. Dimaras placed the essence of modern Hellenism in the center of his studies. He played a pivotal role in the establishment of the National Hellenic Research Foundation and the Institute for Modern Greek Studies at the Sorbonne.