Giorgos Vrisimitzakis was a poet who was born in Alexandria (Egypt) in 1890 and studied in Paris (France). He lived in Italy for some time (1912-1913), where he joined the anarchist movement. In addition to poetry, he was active also in translation, literary studies and criticism. He was a distinguished collaborator of the journal Grammata. He moved to France in 1926 and stayed there until his death in 1947.
H. D. Brasch served as professor of engineering at the University of Melbourne from 1941. During the 1930s he lived in Alexandria (Egypt) for a few years. He published in Australian journals theoretical articles (such as “On Education” (1941) and “We Are All Existentialists” (1949), both in Australian Quarterly). He was killed in an accident in 1950.
The Stock Exchange of Alexandria (Egypt) was established in 1883 in order to serve the then flourishing cotton market. By the end of the 19th century, the building of the stock exchange was an attraction and a landmark of the city as well as a focal point for its commercial and financial activity.
Giuseppe Botti was an Italian archaeologist. He was born at Modena (Italy) in 1853, studied at the University of Bologna and specialised in ancient Egyptian civilisation. He taught at schools in Italy and, since 1889, in Alexandria (Egypt). He was appointed first director of the Greco-Roman Museum of the city in 1892. He conducted excavations in the area of Alexandria and authored many scientific publications.
It is not known exactly when Carl Boehringer came to Athens (Greece) from Germany; it is however possible that this happened at the turn of century. He took over the photographic studio of Carl Merlin after his death. He was one of the most renowned portrait photographers in early 20th century Athens; his clientele consisted of members belonging to the upper class and the royal court. It appears that he passed away around 1916.
Gerard Henrik Blanken (1902-1986) was a Dutch scholar in Modern Greek studies and a Byzantinist. He studied Classics in Leiden (Netherlands), Paris (France) and Athens (Greece). He translated poems by Cavafy into Dutch and published articles and monographs about the Greeks in Corsica, Anna Komnene, Kalvos, Cavafy, etc.