Benjamin Karres
(Venjamin Karres of Lesvos) is one
of the most important and attractive figures to whom the title "Teacher of
the Nation " is given. He was a native of Megalochori of Lesvos (1762) and
he studied at Kydonies, as well as in Europe.
His studies included Mathematics, Physics, Astronomy, and Philosophy. He
served as director of the Evaggeliki School of Smyrna, the second most
important center of Hellenic studies during the Ottoman Empire. Benjamin
was inspired by the European enlightenment movement, and introduced modern
Philosophy and Physical Sciences to Greece.
As a patriot, he was involved with the Friendly Society, a movement to
enlighten the Ottoman-occupied Greeks and plant the seeds of liberation.
When the struggle for independence began he took part in the assemblies of Epidavros and Astros.
