Napoleon Lapathiotis

2008-02-16T00:11:41Z

Rossen4:

'''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 published his controversial "Manifesto" in "Noumas", a magazine of that era. Three years later, he published his poem "Kravgi" in "Rizospastis" and followed his father to Egypt where he met [[Constantine Cavafy]]. He returned to Athens shortly afterwards and continued to write poetry. However, his personality had drastically changed: he abused drugs and avoided being seen in public during the day, coming out only at night.

In [[1927]], Lapathiotis espoused [[Communism]] and wrote 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 was published but the poet had descended into poverty and depression largely due to his continued drug abuse. On [[January 7]], [[1944]] Lapathiotis killed himself with a revolver. At his request, he remained unburied for three days to make sure he was dead. His funeral expenses were paid from a collection taken amongst his friends.

[[Category:1888 births|Lapathiotis, Napoleon]]
[[Category:1944 deaths|Lapathiotis, Napoleon]]
[[Category:Poets|Lapathiotis, Napoleon]]
[[Category:Suicides|Lapathiotis, Napoleon]]

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Napoleon Lapathiotis