SHANT, LEVON (L. Seghposian) (Constantinople 1869 – Beirut 1951) Attended Armenian school at Scutari (Uskudar) until 1883, then to the Gevorgian seminary at Echmiadzin until 1891. Returned to Constantinople to teach and write; his first literary work accepted by Hairenik of Constantinople in that year. To Germany in 1892 for seven years to study science, child psychology, education, literature and history: Leipzig, Jena and Munich. Returned to settle in Constantinople. Joined the Dashnak party. Worked as a writer and teacher. As an author most renowned for his plays: Hin Astvadsner ('Ancient Gods', 1909), Kaisre ('The Emperor', 1914), Inkads Berdi Ishkhanuhin ('The Princess of the Fallen Castle', 1921), Oshin Payl (1929). One of the vice-presidents of the Armenian Parliament during the Republic. Led the Armenian delegation to Moscow in April 1920 to negotiate with the Communists. Left Armenia after its Sovietisation, eventually settling in Beirut. One of the founders of the Hamazkayin cultural association. Principal of the Nshan Palandjian Djemaran (College), Beirut, from 1929 until his death. His works were published in Soviet Armenia in 1968.

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