Emmanouil Benakis facts for kids
Emmanouil Benakis (born in 1843 in Ermoupoli, Syros; died June 20, 1929, in Kifisia) was an important Greek businessman and politician. He is remembered as a great helper of Greece, often called a national benefactor. This means he gave a lot of his money and time to help his country and its people.
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Early Life and Business Success
Emmanouil Benakis first studied in England. After his studies, he moved to Alexandria, a big city in Egypt. There, he started working for a Greek family named Horemi, who were involved in the cotton business. He later married into their family.
Benakis became very successful in business. He led the largest group of Greek cotton brokers in Egypt. A cotton broker is someone who buys and sells cotton for others. Through his hard work, he earned a lot of money and built a large fortune.
Family Life
Emmanouil Benakis had six children. Two of his most famous children were:
- Penelope Delta: She became a well-known writer, especially for children's books.
- Antonis Benakis: He was a famous art collector. He later founded the Benaki Museum in Athens, which holds many important Greek artworks and historical items.
Political Career and Public Service
Emmanouil Benakis was a close friend of Eleftherios Venizelos, who was a very important Greek prime minister. Because of this friendship and his own abilities, Benakis became involved in politics.
He was elected to the Greek Parliament. He also served as the Minister of Agriculture and Industry, helping to manage farming and factories in Greece. In 1914, he was elected mayor of the city of Athens, the capital of Greece.
Helping Others
Benakis used his wealth to help many people. He is especially remembered for his generous donations.
- He helped settle many refugees. These were people who had to leave their homes after the Greco-Turkish war in Asia Minor.
- He gave money to the Red Cross Nurses' School. This helped train nurses to care for the sick and injured.
- He also supported the Athens College, a well-known school.
When he passed away in 1929, his funeral was paid for by the Greek government. This showed how much he was respected. He had also arranged for his money to be used for many good causes after his death.
Lasting Legacy
One important institution that was created because of Emmanouil Benakis's generosity is the Benaki Phytopathological Institute. This institute studies plant diseases and helps protect crops. It is just one example of how his contributions continue to benefit Greece today.
