Georgios Sinas
Encyclopedia
Georgios Sinas was a Greek
entrepreneur, banker and national benefactor. He was the founder of the Athens National Observatory
.
in 1783 of Greek
or possibly Vlach
origin, to Northern Epirotian
parents. At an early age Sinas lost his mother and was grown up by his aunt in Serres
(modern Greece
), were he lived his first school years. At 1790 he moved with his father, Georgios Sinas (the elder), to Vienna
, were he finished his ground level studies. At the age of 20, he became involved with his father’s businesses and managed to take initiatives and successfully expanded the family business.
He became chief director of the National bank of Austria, position that retained for 25 years. Moreover he became a successful banker and subsidized not only enterprises but states and royal families in Europe.
Georgios Sinas retained relations with Greece
and at 1833 he was installed from King Otto
, counselor of Greece in Vienna, position he retained for the rest of his life. He supported financially the Greek community in Vienna and his family's hometown Moscopole
(in Northern Epirus
, region of today's southern Albania
). Moreover, he donated huge amounts of money to philanthropic, cultural and educational institutions of the Greek state, like:
Sinas’ greatest donation to Greece was the financing of the Athens National Observatory (1845) a work of the Danish architect Theofil Hansen. His son Simon Sinas
, continued his work on the fields of business and benefaction.
Greeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
entrepreneur, banker and national benefactor. He was the founder of the Athens National Observatory
National Observatory of Athens
The National Observatory of Athens is a research institute in Athens, Greece. Founded in 1842, it is the oldest research foundation in Greece, as it was the first scientific research institute built after Greece became independent in 1829, and one of the oldest research institutes in Southern...
.
Biography
Georgios Sinas was born in NišNiš
Niš is the largest city of southern Serbia and third-largest city in Serbia . According to the data from 2011, the city of Niš has a population of 177,972 inhabitants, while the city municipality has a population of 257,867. The city covers an area of about 597 km2, including the urban area,...
in 1783 of Greek
Greeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
or possibly Vlach
Vlachs
Vlach is a blanket term covering several modern Latin peoples descending from the Latinised population in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe. English variations on the name include: Walla, Wlachs, Wallachs, Vlahs, Olahs or Ulahs...
origin, to Northern Epirotian
Northern Epirus
Northern Epirus is a term used to refer to those parts of the historical region of Epirus, in the western Balkans, that are part of the modern Albania. The term is used mostly by Greeks and is associated with the existence of a substantial ethnic Greek population in the region...
parents. At an early age Sinas lost his mother and was grown up by his aunt in Serres
Serres
Serres is a city in Greece, seat of the Serres prefecture.Serres may also refer to:Places:* Serres, Germany, a part of Wiernsheim in Baden-WürttembergIn France:* Serres, Aude in the Aude département...
(modern Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
), were he lived his first school years. At 1790 he moved with his father, Georgios Sinas (the elder), to Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
, were he finished his ground level studies. At the age of 20, he became involved with his father’s businesses and managed to take initiatives and successfully expanded the family business.
He became chief director of the National bank of Austria, position that retained for 25 years. Moreover he became a successful banker and subsidized not only enterprises but states and royal families in Europe.
Georgios Sinas retained relations with Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
and at 1833 he was installed from King Otto
Otto of Greece
Otto, Prince of Bavaria, then Othon, King of Greece was made the first modern King of Greece in 1832 under the Convention of London, whereby Greece became a new independent kingdom under the protection of the Great Powers .The second son of the philhellene King Ludwig I of Bavaria, Otto ascended...
, counselor of Greece in Vienna, position he retained for the rest of his life. He supported financially the Greek community in Vienna and his family's hometown Moscopole
Moscopole
Moscopole was a cultural and commercial center of the Aromanians, and now a small municipality in Korçë District, modern southeastern Albania. At its peak, in the mid 18th century, it hosted the first printing press in the Balkans outside Istanbul, educational institutions and numerous churches...
(in Northern Epirus
Northern Epirus
Northern Epirus is a term used to refer to those parts of the historical region of Epirus, in the western Balkans, that are part of the modern Albania. The term is used mostly by Greeks and is associated with the existence of a substantial ethnic Greek population in the region...
, region of today's southern Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
). Moreover, he donated huge amounts of money to philanthropic, cultural and educational institutions of the Greek state, like:
- ArsakeioArsakeioArsakeion , or Arsákeio, is the name of a group of co-educational independent schools in Greece, administered by the Philekpaideytikē Etaireía , a non-profit organization...
school in Athens. - University of Athens.
- A number of medical and archaeological institutions.
Sinas’ greatest donation to Greece was the financing of the Athens National Observatory (1845) a work of the Danish architect Theofil Hansen. His son Simon Sinas
Simon Sinas
- Biography :Simon Sinas was born in 1810 in Vienna. He was of Greek origin, while his family originated from Moscopole. He served as Greek Consul in Vienna, and later as Minister to Austria, the Kingdom of Bavaria, and Germany. The son of Georgios Sinas, also a benefactor and diplomat, Sinas...
, continued his work on the fields of business and benefaction.