Emmanuil Xanthos | |
|---|---|
Εμμανουήλ Ξανθός | |
 | |
| Born | 1772 (1772) |
| Died | 28 November 1852(1852-11-28) (aged 79–80) |
| Occupation | Merchant |
| Known for | Founding theFiliki Eteria |
Emmanuil Xanthos (Greek:Εμμανουήλ Ξάνθος; 1772 – November 28, 1852) was aGreek merchant. He was one of the founders of theFiliki Eteria ("Society of Friends"), aGreek conspiratorial organization which opposed theOttoman Empire.[1][2]
Xanthos was born on theAegean island ofPatmos inOttoman Greece. He emigrated toItaly as a youngster and was initiated in theMasonic Lodge ofLefkada ("Society of Free Builders of St. Mavra"),[1] before finally settling inOdessa, Russia. While there, he became acquainted withNikolaos Skoufas andAthanasios Tsakalov. The three men came up with the idea of founding a secret organization to prepare the ground for Greek independence and together they founded Filiki Eteria in 1814 inOdessa.[2] In 1818, the three partners moved toConstantinople to further their cause. There in July, Skoufas fell ill and died leaving Xanthos as one of the two leaders of the organization. Xanthos was dedicated to theGreek War of Independence which started in 1821.
During the war Xanthos organized fromAustria the escape ofAlexander Ypsilantis, the later leader of Filiki Eteria, who was at the time held captive in theMugach prison. Before his death he wrote hisMemoirs (Απομνημονεύματα) which was published in 1854 and is now an important source of historical information about the inner workings of the Greek War of Independence.
Xanthos died inAthens. He was married toSevasti Kroustala.
Media related toEmmanuel Xanthos at Wikimedia Commons| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
