Constantine P. Cavafy is a distinguished Greek poet and was also one of the most original and influential Greek poets of the 20th century, who, though, remained virtually unrecognized in Greece until late in his career. Nowadays, his poetry is widely celebrated and taught in school in Greece and Cyprus, as well as in universities around the world.

The life of Constantine Cavafy

Constantine Cavafy was born in Alexandria, Egypt, on April 29, 1863. His father died when he was seven, leaving the family poor. Shortly after this, the family moved to England, where Cavafy stayed until he was sixteen and became fluent in English. [He also picked up French and Italian during his life.] His two oldest brothers were supposed to take over their father’s business but they were young and inexperienced. Combined with the Long Depression of 1873, financial problems forced the family to move back to Alexandria in 1876, where they lived in great poverty. Read more