‘Britain and Greece have a co-ownership of Byron’

"Britain and Greece have a co-ownership of Byron; in Britain as a foremost poet and in Greece as someone associated with Greek liberation," says Lord Lytton, a fourth-generation descendant of Lord Byron, in a special edition of Kathimerini. With roots in European aristocracy stretching back to William I of England, Lord Lytton - or by his full title, John Peter Michael Scawen Lytton, fifth earl of Lytton and 18th baron of Wentworth - explores Lord Byron's varied life, his voyages to Greece and his contribution to spreading the cause of Greek independence. 

On the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the great Romantic poet's death and the forthcoming international Byronist conference (July 1-7), organized by the Messolonghi Byron Society, Lord Lytton highlights Lord Byron's strong connection with Greek tradition and the spiritual legacy he bequeathed to his readers. In this...