George Kandilaptis-Kanis
Georgios Kandilaptis-Kanis was a Pontic Greek teacher and writer, born in 1881 in Argyroupolis (Gümüşhane) in the Ottoman Empire. He graduated from the Argyroupolis College in 1899-1900 and became a teacher of the municipality. He taught in schools of the region while at the same time offering his services the local Greek community from positions such as Member of Delegates for exams, Secretary of the Metropolis of Chaldia, organiser and director of cultural organisations, representative of his fellow countrymen during the period of the Population exchange between Greece and Turkey, as well as other positions.
Life in Pontus
From the time he graduated as a teacher (1899 and onwards) he began writing the history of his region and collected valuable information about its folklore and popular poetry. He studied the monasteries and fortresses of Chaldia, and rewrote many secret codes. He published the books Ξυνωρίς και Εαρινόν Ρόδον (Trapezus 1911 and 1913) as well as many articles in the Greek-language newspapers Φάρος της Ανατολής (Beacon of the East) of Trapezus, and Αργοναύτης (Argonaut) of Batumi.
During the dramatic period of the Exchange of Populations he managed to save and transport to Greece many historical and folkloric heirlooms from the monasteries of the Metropolis of Chaldia, the remains of one of the Emperors of Trebizond, and the eminent "Kyriakidis" library of Argyroupolis.
Life in Greece
In Greece he taught for the municipality of Imvros until his retirement. Among his other accomplishments he was decorated twice by the State, as well as winning other distinctions and honours. He continued writing books of which 10 were published, as well as many monographs, and articles which were published in educational journals and newspapers. He died in 1971 and was buried in Alexandroupoli.