Matyla Ghyka
Encyclopedia
Prince Matila Costiesco Ghyka (born Matila Costiescu), K.C.V.O.
, M.C.
(September 13, 1881 – July 14, 1965), was a novelist, mathematician, historian, philosopher and diplomat at the Romania
n Plenipotentiary Minister
in the United Kingdom
during the late 1930s and until 1940. His first name is sometimes written as Matyla.
, the former capital of Moldavia
, of the Ghica family
of boyar
s. On his mother's side he was the great-grandson of Grigore Alexandru Ghica
, last reigning Prince of Moldavia before the union of the Danubian Principalities
.
He first studied at the Jesuit Maritime College of Jersey
(where he passed his matriculation when only 14), then at the French Naval Academy in Brest
, at the High School of Electricity in Paris
, and finally at the Faculty of Law of Université Libre de Bruxelles
, where he took his doctorate
magna cum laude
. He joined the diplomatic service in 1910, being stationed at the Romanian Legations in Rome
, Berlin
, London
, Madrid
, Paris
, Vienna
, Stockholm
(as Minister Plenipotentiary) and twice again in London between 1936-1938 and between 1939 and 1940.
In 1918, at the Brompton Oratory, he married Eileen O'Conor (b. 1897, Sankt Petersburg), daughter of the late Sir Nicholas Roderick O'Conor
(d. 1908), the former British Ambassador to Istanbul
and Saint Petersburg
, and Minna Margaret Hope-Scott. During his first diplomatic assignments in London and Paris, Prince Ghyka was introduced by Paul Morand
and Prince Antoine Bibesco
to the English and French literary circles. He became a friend of Marcel Proust
and a "piéton de Paris" with the poet Léon-Paul Fargue
. A frequent visitor of Natalie Clifford Barney
's literary salon
, he also met most of the American "exiled" writers of the 1920s, but his chief interest was always the synthesis of high mathematics
and poetry
.
After World War II
, Ghyka fled Communist Romania
, and was visiting professor of aesthetics
in the United States
, at the University of Southern California
and at the Mary Washington College, Virginia
. An unassuming scholar, he took a mild interest in politics. His memoirs, which were published in 1961 under the title The World Mine Oyster, concluded with a confident message on the indestructibility of humanism
.
Prince Ghyka died in London and was survived by his son, Prince Roderick Ghyka, and daughter, Princess Maureen Ghyka. He was predeceased by his wife Eileen on February 10, 1963. Both Prince Matyla and Princess Eileen are buried in Gunnersbury Cemetery in London.
Royal Victorian Order
The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
, M.C.
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
(September 13, 1881 – July 14, 1965), was a novelist, mathematician, historian, philosopher and diplomat at the Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
n Plenipotentiary Minister
Diplomatic rank
Diplomatic rank is the system of professional and social rank used in the world of diplomacy and international relations. Over time it has been formalized on an international basis.-Ranks:...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
during the late 1930s and until 1940. His first name is sometimes written as Matyla.
Life
He was born in IaşiIasi
Iași is the second most populous city and a municipality in Romania. Located in the historical Moldavia region, Iași has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Romanian social, cultural, academic and artistic life...
, the former capital of Moldavia
Moldavia
Moldavia is a geographic and historical region and former principality in Eastern Europe, corresponding to the territory between the Eastern Carpathians and the Dniester river...
, of the Ghica family
Ghica family
The Ghica family were a Romanian noble family, active in Wallachia, Moldavia and in the Kingdom of Romania. In the 18th century, several branches of the family went through a process of Hellenization...
of boyar
Boyar
A boyar, or bolyar , was a member of the highest rank of the feudal Moscovian, Kievan Rus'ian, Bulgarian, Wallachian, and Moldavian aristocracies, second only to the ruling princes , from the 10th century through the 17th century....
s. On his mother's side he was the great-grandson of Grigore Alexandru Ghica
Grigore Alexandru Ghica
Grigore Alexandru Ghica or Ghika was a Prince of Moldavia between October 14, 1849 and June 1853, and again between October 30, 1854 and June 3, 1856...
, last reigning Prince of Moldavia before the union of the Danubian Principalities
Danubian Principalities
Danubian Principalities was a conventional name given to the Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia, which emerged in the early 14th century. The term was coined in the Habsburg Monarchy after the Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca in order to designate an area on the lower Danube with a common...
.
He first studied at the Jesuit Maritime College of Jersey
Jersey
Jersey, officially the Bailiwick of Jersey is a British Crown Dependency off the coast of Normandy, France. As well as the island of Jersey itself, the bailiwick includes two groups of small islands that are no longer permanently inhabited, the Minquiers and Écréhous, and the Pierres de Lecq and...
(where he passed his matriculation when only 14), then at the French Naval Academy in Brest
Brest, France
Brest is a city in the Finistère department in Brittany in northwestern France. Located in a sheltered position not far from the western tip of the Breton peninsula, and the western extremity of metropolitan France, Brest is an important harbour and the second French military port after Toulon...
, at the High School of Electricity in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, and finally at the Faculty of Law of Université Libre de Bruxelles
Université Libre de Bruxelles
The Université libre de Bruxelles is a French-speaking university in Brussels, Belgium. It has 21,000 students, 29% of whom come from abroad, and an equally cosmopolitan staff.-Name:...
, where he took his doctorate
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
magna cum laude
Latin honors
Latin honors are Latin phrases used to indicate the level of academic distinction with which an academic degree was earned. This system is primarily used in the United States, Canada, and in many countries of continental Europe, though some institutions also use the English translation of these...
. He joined the diplomatic service in 1910, being stationed at the Romanian Legations in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
, Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
, Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
(as Minister Plenipotentiary) and twice again in London between 1936-1938 and between 1939 and 1940.
In 1918, at the Brompton Oratory, he married Eileen O'Conor (b. 1897, Sankt Petersburg), daughter of the late Sir Nicholas Roderick O'Conor
Sir Nicholas Roderick O'Conor
The Rt. Hon. Sir Nicholas Roderick O'Conor, P.C., G.C.B., G.C.M.G., was a British diplomat...
(d. 1908), the former British Ambassador to Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
and Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg is a city and a federal subject of Russia located on the Neva River at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea...
, and Minna Margaret Hope-Scott. During his first diplomatic assignments in London and Paris, Prince Ghyka was introduced by Paul Morand
Paul Morand
Paul Morand was a French diplomat, novelist, playwright and poet, considered an early Modernist.He was a graduate of the Paris Institute of Political Studies...
and Prince Antoine Bibesco
Antoine Bibesco
Antoine, Prince Bibesco was a Romanian aristocrat, lawyer, diplomat and writer.- Biography :His father was Prince Alexandre Bibesco, the last surviving son of the Hospodar of Wallachia. His mother was Helene Epourano, daughter of a former Prime Minister of Romania...
to the English and French literary circles. He became a friend of Marcel Proust
Marcel Proust
Valentin Louis Georges Eugène Marcel Proust was a French novelist, critic, and essayist best known for his monumental À la recherche du temps perdu...
and a "piéton de Paris" with the poet Léon-Paul Fargue
Léon-Paul Fargue
Léon-Paul Fargue was a French poet and essayist.He was born in Paris, France on rue Coquilliére. As a poet he was noted for his poetry of atmosphere and detail. His work spanned numerous literary movements...
. A frequent visitor of Natalie Clifford Barney
Natalie Clifford Barney
Natalie Clifford Barney was an American playwright, poet and novelist who lived as an expatriate in Paris....
's literary salon
Salon (gathering)
A salon is a gathering of people under the roof of an inspiring host, held partly to amuse one another and partly to refine taste and increase their knowledge of the participants through conversation. These gatherings often consciously followed Horace's definition of the aims of poetry, "either to...
, he also met most of the American "exiled" writers of the 1920s, but his chief interest was always the synthesis of high mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
and poetry
Poetry
Poetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning...
.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Ghyka fled Communist Romania
Communist Romania
Communist Romania was the period in Romanian history when that country was a Soviet-aligned communist state in the Eastern Bloc, with the dominant role of Romanian Communist Party enshrined in its successive constitutions...
, and was visiting professor of aesthetics
Aesthetics
Aesthetics is a branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of beauty, art, and taste, and with the creation and appreciation of beauty. It is more scientifically defined as the study of sensory or sensori-emotional values, sometimes called judgments of sentiment and taste...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, at the University of Southern California
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
and at the Mary Washington College, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. An unassuming scholar, he took a mild interest in politics. His memoirs, which were published in 1961 under the title The World Mine Oyster, concluded with a confident message on the indestructibility of humanism
Humanism
Humanism is an approach in study, philosophy, world view or practice that focuses on human values and concerns. In philosophy and social science, humanism is a perspective which affirms some notion of human nature, and is contrasted with anti-humanism....
.
Works
- Esthétique des proportions dans la nature et dans les arts (1927) (printed in Italian, Russian, Spanish)
- Le nombre d'or. Rites et rythmes pythagoriciens dans le development de la civilisation occidentale (1931) which ran into many editions and was prefaced by his friend and admirer Paul ValéryPaul ValéryAmbroise-Paul-Toussaint-Jules Valéry was a French poet, essayist, and philosopher. His interests were sufficiently broad that he can be classified as a polymath...
(translated into Italian, Czech, Spanish, Polish) - Pluie d'etoiles (1933) (English as Again One Day, 1936) - the only novel Ghyka wrote, printed in roumanian
- Essai sur le rythme (1938)
- Tour d'horizon philosophique (1946)
- Sortileges du verbe (1949), prefaced by Leon-Paul Fargue
- A Documented Chronology of Roumanian History from Pre-historic Times to the Present Day (1941), printed in roumanian
- The Geometry of Art and Life (1946)
- Tour d'horizon philosophique (1946)
- A Practical Handbook of Geometry and Design (1952)
- Philosophie et Mystique du nombre (1952) (translated into Serbian, Spanish, Roumanian)
- Couleur du monde (1: Escales de ma jeunesse,1955, 2: Heureux qui comme Ulysse, 1956)" (translated into roumanian)
- The World Mine Oyster. London, Heinemann, 1961 (English version of "Couleur du monde")