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Dr Costas N. Hadjipateras (1920-2002) A descendant of one of the oldest Greek shipping families of the island of Oinoussai, Chios, C. N. Hadjipateras was born in Piraeus, a grandson to the local mayor. He demonstrated a strong predilection for the letters from an early age. He studied Law at the University of Athens. A fellow student of Andreas G. Papandreou he was exposed to the teachings of some of the most prominent academic figures at the time: Zolotas, Kanellopoulos, Tsatsos & Sykoutris. The war finds him in Switzerland, isolated but far from inactive. He pursues his graduate studies in economics while he engages in a variety of patriotic activities. With his articles, lectures and books, Costas N. Hadjipateras aims to enlighten international public opinion on the heroic struggle of the Greek people during WW II and Greece's contribution in turning the tide of the war in favour of the Allies. |
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| It was the beginning of a profound intellectual emphasis on Greek patriotic matters that he maintained to his death 60 years later. In recognition of his patriotic efforts the government of the liberated Greece awarded Costas N. Hadjipateras the Order of the Phoenix at the unusual age of 26. His thesis "L' evolution de l' etalon monetaire" won him a doctorate from the University of Neuchatel and marked his shift of interest towards business matters. In 1948, he joined his father Nicholas, on the boards of several Shipping Institutions and Committees. They both went on to established their own maritime company, Jason Shipping, which managed their newly-purchased 'Liberty' ships, part of the total one hundred vessels that the U.S. Government sold to the New York Greeks as a token for their contribution in the war effort. In June 1952 Costas married Calliopi Pateras, a daughter and niece of principals and sea captains, with whom he had two daughters and a son. In 1960 the family moved to Athens and finally settled in London in 1966 where he soon became one of the pillars of London Greek society. Although a Greek at heart, he embodied the characteristics of an English gentleman; nobility, patience, pragmatism, courtesy, modesty, intellect. In 1968 he co-founded the London Hellenic Society and served as its first president for more than a decade. A member of the boards of the Anglo Hellenic League and the Greek Archaeological Society in Great Britain, Costas N. Hadjipateras was a Fellow of many learned bodies and institutions. A devoted Christian Orthodox, he was created an archon of the Patriarchate of Constantinople by the late Ecumenical Patriarch Athinagoras. Fluent in English, French and German, Costas N. Hadjipateras has published poetry and prose, notably 'Cendres' (Neuchatel 1944), 'Heroismes et Droits de la Grece' (Paris 1946), 'L'evolution de l'etalon monetaire' (Paris 1947), 'La Grece et la Mer' (Aix-en-Provence 1963). From 1979, he joined forces with Maria Fafalios-Dragonas, in devoting himself to the systematic research and recording of historical material on the Greek struggle against Nazi Germany during the 2nd WW. His books "Greece 1940-41 Eyewitnessed" and "The Battle of Crete Eyewitnessed" provide a vivid and human depiction of the heroic and victorious battles of the Greek people who did not hesitate to defy the might of the Axis powers, marking the first Allied victory of the second world war. For their book "Greece 1940-41 Eyewitnessed", which has been hailed as a 'written monument' and a 'national gospel' Costas Hadjipateras and Maria Fafalios received the Academy of Athens Award in 1983. Until the very day of his death Costas N. Hadjipateras was working on the details of his latest book "Athens 1941-1945 Eyewitnessed" which completes this epic trilogy and covers the painful years of the occupation of Greece by the Axis forces. In recognition of his contribution to cultural and historical matters, the EEE has established the "Dr Costas N. Hadjipateras Annual Memorial Lecture". |
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