KORAIS, Adamantios (1748-1833). Greek scholar & patriot.
Autograph Letter Signed, in Greek, to Phrankiadis, written on a scrap of what appears to be another letter, ca 75 x 180 mm (3 x 7 inches), no place, 30 October 1826. Enlisting support for a book he wishes to have written, most probably one about 'Katharevousa' (cleaned) Greek, a compromise between ancient Greek and Demotiki created and introduced by Korais.

'... The book is essential for our untutored race and needs to be written by someone erudite but, more to the point, sensible. Whatever you can achieve you will be doing it for the fatherland.'

Korais and Thomas Jefferson were correspondents in the 1780s.
 The reverse of the letter contains a series of mathematical calculations and a tantalising scrap of an address-leaf.
 With a full translation.
[No: 8159]