Napoleon Lapathiotis

Napoleon Lapathiotis (1888 - 1944) was a Greek "bohemian" poet.

Lapathiotis was born on October 31, 1888 in Athens, the only child of his politician father. He studied law in Athens but his inclination was towards poetry and writing. By 1907, his poems were already being published in magazines of that period.

In 1912 during the First Balkan War, Lapathiotis was conscripted into the Greek army. In 1914 he publishes his controversial "Manifesto" in "Noumas", a magazine of that era. Three years later, he publishes his poem "Kravgi" in "Rizospastis" and follows his father to Egypt where he meets Constantine Cavafy. He returns to Athens shortly afterwards and continues to write poetry, however, his personality has drastically changed: He abuses drugs and avoids being seen in public during the day, coming out only at night.

In 1927, Lapathiotis espouses Communism and writes to the Archbishop of Athens, on May 1 of that year, requesting that he no longer consider Lapathiotis part of his flock.

In 1939 his collection of poems is published but the poet has descended into poverty and depression largely due to his continued drug abuse. On January 7, 1944 Lapathiotis kills himself with a revolver. At his request, he remained unburied for three days to make sure he is dead. His funeral expenses were paid by a collection taken amongst his friends.