Julian Chrysostomides

Julian (Iouliane) Chrysostomides (Greek: Ιουλιανή Χρυσοστομίδη; 21 April 1928 – 18 October 2008) was a Greek historian of Istanbul. She lectured at Royal Holloway, University of London for nearly 30 years, and was instrumental in establishing it as a centre of Byzantine studies. She served for ten years as director of the Hellenic Institute at Royal Holloway, University of London, transforming it into a centre for interdisciplinary research into Greek and Byzantine history.

Early life and education

Julian was the daughter of Cappadocian entrepreneur Chrysostomos Chrysostomides and his wife, Victoria, née Rizas, a phanariot. Her early education took place at the Zappeion School, a girls' Greek lyceum in Istanbul, and she initially pursued university education at the Sorbonne. Discouraged by the rising anti-Greek sentiment in Istanbul, she moved to England in 1950 to pursue a degree in Literae humaniores at St Anne's College, Oxford, from which she graduated in 1955. That year she began a BLitt at Royal Holloway under Professor Joan Hussey, writing on Emperor Manuel II Palaeologus and his policy towards the Ottomans. She became a naturalised citizen of the UK.

Career

In 1965 Chrysostomides was appointed lecturer in history at Royal Holloway College. In 1983 she became senior lecturer and in 1992 reader in Byzantine history. She retired in 1993.