1869-1909
A British writer Marjory Wardrop and her brother, a British diplomat Oliver Wardrop, significantly contributed to popularization of Georgian culture and literature in Europe.
Marjory Wardrop developed interest towards Georgia after the publication of his brother’s book “The Kingdom of Georgia.” She started learning Georgian language in England. In 1894, Marjory Wardrop visited Georgia for the first time and established close ties with Georgian writers and public figures.
The Georgian language became her second native language. Marjory Wardrop translated and published Georgian folk tales, the life of Saint Nino, Ilia Chavchavadze’s poem “Hermit,” Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani’s collection of fables “Wisdom of Fancy.” During ten years she worked on the translation of Shota Rustaveli’s “The Knight in the Panther’s Skin.”
On the basis of her personal library, the Marjory Wardrop Georgian Fund was created at Oxford University.
“On the ninth day of this month, Ms. Wardrop left Sighnaghi for Tbilisi. She gathered workers in nearby fields under an oak tree in a field near Sighnaghi to take a photo of them and treated them with dinner. She told them friendly words and gave money too. When the workers learned the identity of Ms. Wardrop, they sang her a song of workers and saw respected guests off with exclamations, tossing their hats in the air.”
The newspaper Kvali, issue #30; 14 July,1894
“The late Marjory Wardrop used to say that Georgia is her second homeland. She diligently studied Georgian literature and translated best Georgian literary works…. She acquainted British people with the life of Georgians, their past and present traditions, customs and character, et cetera. During these 14 years, she continuously subscribed for Georgian newspapers and magazines. At the beginning of every year, she sent seventy rubles to the Society for Spreading Literacy for newspapers, magazines and books.”
The newspaper Momavali, issue #84; 6 December, 1909