Centenary of the University of Athens

Abstract

THE University of Athens is the richer to-day by the congratulations of the world of learning on its centenary. Elaborate celebrations have marked this event, which was enhanced by the active participation of H.M. the King of Greece, members of the Government, of the Church and of the Services, the French Minister of National Education, and 150 delegates representing eighty foreign universities. Eloquent addresses, official receptions, musical festivals and classical performances added to the splendour of the occasion. During the past hundred years, the University of Athens has grown from a small establishment with fourteen students, to a mighty seat of learning with nearly ten thousand students of both sexes, an imposing list of professors, and manifold extensions, laboratories and institutes as additions to the original faculties. Parallel with the development, learning has found in Athens the old spirit which made the town famous throughout the classical and Byzantine periods. To-day, science and letters are steadily pursued by a band of investigators who have made substantial contributions to knowledge. To give just one example, mathematicians are familiar with the names of Hatzidakis, Zervos, Sakellariou and Eginitis. Even the history of science is represented by Prof. Stephanidis, who has many important monographs to his credit. If the English language and literature were not hitherto adequatety represented, the omission has been made good by the creation of a Byron chair, which was announced as a gift of Great Britain to the most ancient seat of learning of Western civilization.