Renowned British historian Mark Mazower has been granted honorary Greek citizenship for “the promotion of Greece, its long history and its culture to the international general public.”

Mazower, who is Ira D. Wallach Professor of History at Columbia University in New York City, is also noted for contributing “to the emergence of the historically shaped identity of the Greek people” through “his scientific involvement with modern Greek history,” according to the announcement in the Government Gazette, dated September 17.

Born in London in 1958, Mazower studied history at the Universities of Oxford and John Hopkins, specializing in Greece, the Balkans and, more generally, 20th-century Europe. His current interests include the history of the 1821 Greek War of Independence, and the historical evolution of the Greek islands.

The historian is also a member of the “Greece 2021” Committee, which is tasked with planning the celebration for the landmark anniversary of 200 years since the Greek Revolution, and to organize a comprehensive layout of projects and events which will aim at reintroducing Greece, from the beginning of its contemporary history to today. 

The decision is signed by President Katerina Sakellaropoulou and Interior Minister Makis Voridis.

This article was previously published at ekathimerini.com.