Speros Jr. Vryonis

Spyros Vryonis (July 18, 1928 - March 11, 2019), a leading Byzantinologist of his generation, was born in 1928 in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, to a family of Kefalonian origin. After completing his postgraduate studies at Harvard University, he began his academic career by teaching at the same university. He served as a professor at the University of California (where he also directed the G. E. von Grunebaum Center for Near Eastern Studies), a professor at the University of Athens, and a Professor of Hellenic Civilization at New York University (where he also held the position of director of the Alexander S. Onassis Center for Hellenic Studies), from which he retired with the honorary title of Professor Emeritus of Hellenic Civilization. A member of numerous scientific organizations and an honorary doctorate recipient from many universities (including Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the University of Cyprus), Spyros Vryonis was honored with significant scientific distinctions: he was elected a regular member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Academy of Medieval Studies, the American Philosophical Society, and a corresponding member of the Academy of Athens. His extensive research and writing focus on Byzantium, the Ottoman Empire, the Balkans, and the Arab world, and include a large number of books and articles. His major books include: "The Decline of Medieval Hellenism in Asia Minor and the Process of Islamization, 11th to 15th Century" (MIET 1997); "The East of Us: The Spiritual Tradition of Medieval Hellenism in the Slavic and Islamic World" (Vanias 1995); "Byzantium and Europe," Harcourt, Brace and World, 1967; "Byzantium: Its Internal History and Relations with the Islamic World," Variorum Reprints, 1971; "Studies on Byzantium, Seljuks and Ottomans," Undena Publications, 1982; "Studies in Byzantine Institutions and Society," Aristide D. Caratzas, 1997. His written works also include the following books, which he co-edited with others: "Aspects of the Balkans: Continuity and Change" in collaboration with Henrik Birnbaum, Mouton, 1972; "Islam and Cultural Change in the Middle Ages," Harrassowitz, 1975; "Individualism and Conformity in Classical Islam" in collaboration with Amin Banani, Harrassowitz, 1977; "Islam's Understanding of Itself" in collaboration with Richard G. Hovannisian, Undena Publications, 1983; "Essays on the Slavic World and the Eleventh Century," Aristide D. Caratzas, 1992.