| Description | Papers of Gjenco Demetre Nai, comprising:
Drafts of 'From the Illyrians to the Shqiptars: an historical insight' in the form of both complete drafts and individual chapters; other articles by Nai on Albania; other papers used in writing of 'From the Illyrians...'; correspondence re proposed publication of 'From the Illyrians...', 1945-1990; papers on other works by Nai, including drafts of a work on King Zog's experiences during the Second World War up to 1944; Nai's autobiography of his early life; draft for works on Albania's problems; articles on Albanian politics and affairs and Albania's international relations; Albanian migr newspapers and other newscuttings and papers used in writing the works, 1932-1986; correspondence, 1940-1983, including correspondence received and copies of correspondence sent by Nai as private secretary to King Zog and personal correspondence concerning his work and family; photographs of the Albanian royal family, the Nai family and friends, 1922-1990; Nai family memorabilia and certificates, 1923-1990; press cuttings, the majority of which are in date order and are from British newspapers, the subject matter is almost entirely Albania and international relations relating to Albania; Albanian migr newspapers, 1942-1988 (mainly 1942-1947). |
| AdminHistory | Gjenco Demetre Nai (1907-1992) was born in Turkey to parents of Albanian descent. Albania was at that time still part of the Ottoman Empire. His family later moved to Greece and he grew up in Paxos and Corfu. There is little information in the collection on the events of his early adult life although it is clear that he qualified as a lawyer, moved to Albania and at some time in the early 1930s, married Jeanne Rogge-Vancappel (1911-c.1992), a Belgian. When Albania was invaded by Italy in April 1939, Nai and his wife left the country. It was at this time that he became private secretary to King Zog (1896-1961). King Zog had became president in 1925 and king in 1928. Nai and his wife probably fled the country along with the king, his family and other staff.
Zog and his party, now including the Nais stayed briefly in Greece and Turkey before making their way to France in August 1939. After the fall of France in June 1940, they settled in Britain. At first they made their home at the Ritz Hotel, London but in May 1941 Zog and his party moved to Sunningdale before settling at Parmoor, a country house near Henley-on Thames. The group totalling around forty, was comprised of King Zog, his wife Queen Geraldine, their young son Leka, other members of King Zog's family, Sohir Martini who served as court minister during this period of exile and staff members including Nai and his wife.
In February 1946 the king, his family and most of his party left Britain to live in Egypt. He never returned to Albania, which became a communist state and was declared a republic. Nai and his wife remained in Britain and settled in London. He probably made his living as a journalist and translator. In 1949 the Nais' only child Alexander Leonidha Peter (1949-1995) was born. The following year Nai took up a post as Albanian monitor for the BBC monitoring service, based at Reading and the family moved there. Nai always retained an interest in Albanian affairs, particularly after his retirement when he wrote several unpublished books on the subject.
Alexander Nai obtained a degree in modern languages from Queens College, Oxford and worked as a journalist and lecturer. In 1973 he changed his surname by deed poll to Nash. On his death, he bequeathed his estate to SSEES to enable the setting up of a Centre for Albanian Studies. |