George Finlay 1799-1875, was a Scottish Philhellene who came to Greece in 1823 to fight in the Greek War of Independence. Living in Athens until his death in 1875, he contributed to the life of the newly established Kingdom of Greece as a Liberal, historian, antiquarian and traveller. His impressive collection of books, maps and pamphlets was left to the British School at Athens in 1899 forming the core of the British School at Athens library.
The collection has been added to the union catalogue AMBROSIA and is available on request. The pre-19th century volumes are stored under climate control in the Rare Book Room. The 19th century volumes are in locked bookcases in the Finlay Library which serves as the Hostel Common Room.
His collection of travellers’ volumes is of particular interest, not least because of the marginalia they include.
