Frederick North, 5th Earl of Guilford

Frederick North, 5th Earl of Guilford GCMG (* February 7, 1766, † October 14, 1827 ), to 1817 Frederick North (often referred to as Lord Guilford ) was a British politician and colonial administrator and Philhellene.

Life

North was the youngest son of Prime Minister Frederick North, 2nd Earl of Guilford ( usually called Lord North ). He spent for health reasons, a large part of his youth in continental Europe and studied law at Eton College and Christ Church College, University of Oxford. He was an avid supporter of Greek and Italian culture. From 1792 to 1794 he represented the constituency of Banbury in the House of Commons. He served as Secretary of State from 1795 to 1797 the Viceroy of Corsica from 1798 to 1805 as governor of Ceylon. In 1817 he inherited the title of Earl of Guilford, after his two older brothers had died.

Foundation of the Ionian Academy

In 1824, North founded the Ionian Academy in Corfu, which was then under British control. As the first university of modern Greece, they had, although it was 1864 already closed, essential for the formation of the intellectual elite of the new Greek state and thus for the spiritual rebirth of Greece.

North, who converted to the Greek Orthodox faith, remained until his death a generous patron of the Ionian University.

North used a lot of energy and financial resources on building a unique library that reflected his fascination with the Greek and Italian culture.

Honors

A statue of the Earl is still in Corfu. There is a library and a street named after him.