Dimitrios Golemis

Dimitrios Golemis had a remarkable life that saw him work as an ophthalmologist, philosopher, and theologian, but he is best remembered as being a poet. Born in Lefkada in 1874 Golemis wrote nine collections of poetry between 1909 and 1940. A tenth volume was also written but is now considered to be lost.

Golemis was also an accomplished athlete and gymnast. He finished in second place in the 800 metres at the Panhellenic Championships in 1896, which served as the qualification path for the first edition of the Olympic Games. At the 1896 Athína Olympics Golemis ran in the 800 metres where he made the final along with Teddy Flack of Australia and Nándor Dáni of Hungary. Flack finished just ahead of Dáni to win gold, with Golemis more than 100 metres behind the pair to win the bronze medal. Golemis also ran in the 1,500 metres but was one of four Greek athletes not to finish the race.

Golemis died in a clinic in Piraeus in 1941 after suffering with a tumour in his abdomen. A statue of him was erected in the “Garden of Poets” in a square in his hometown of Lefkada.