ABSTRACT
Steven Runciman, the historian of Byzantium, was an inquisitive and observant traveller. He spent more than a year and a half in Athens at a critical period of Greek history, as 'Representative' of the British Council. He regularly complained in his letters about the constant social round, which he actually enjoyed although it was tiring and bad for his health. He recorded the main political developments such as elections, strikes, the union of the Dodecanese with Greece and the Truman declaration, and commented on personalities such as Tsaldaris, the Prime Minister and the young Markezinis. Lectures were an important part of the work, by Steven himself, his colleagues and visitors. His interest in Greek royalty had a professional justification in the importance of the king's political role. He took an interest in the personalities and doings of Sir Clifford and Lady Norton, who succeeded Sir Reginald and Lady Leeper in March 1946.
