Kostes Palamas

Born in Patras in 1859, Kostis Palamas became one of the most important figures in modern Greek literature. He studied in Mesolongion and Athens, and his work became closely linked with the literary generation of the 1880s and the movement to bring a more living, everyday Greek into literature.

Palamas wrote poetry, criticism, and prose, but poetry remained at the heart of his reputation. Britannica describes him as a major force in the evolution of modern Greek literature, and he is widely noted for writing the lyrics of the Olympic Hymn.

He died in Athens in 1943. Even today, he is remembered not only as a poet of great range and influence, but also as a cultural figure whose work helped define a new era in Greek letters.