The archive comprises:
- papers on resistance to the Greek military junta (1955-1977, 2009-2019)
- papers on involvement with human rights and conflict in Cyprus (1955-1991, 2012)
- papers on political activism on Palestine (1963-2012)
- papers on human rights in Turkey (1971-1994)
- papers on international human rights (including papers of James Becket) (1963-2010)
- papers on political work in post-junta Greece and New Democracy campaigns (1974-2012)
- papers on work for Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan on the environment (1950-2012)
- papers on environmental activism and Religion, Science and the Environment (1987-2016)
- papers on work with the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Istanbul (1991-2014)
- personal papers and correspondence (1945-2012)
- political correspondence (1963-2012)
- passports, diaries and address books (1947-2012)
- newspaper clippings on Greece and international politics (1949-2011)
Dates
- Creation: 1945-2019
Extent
75.79 Linear metres (533 boxes)
Language of Materials
- English
- Greek, Modern (1453-)
- French
- German
- Spanish; Castilian
- Swedish
- Danish
- Italian
- Dutch; Flemish
- Norwegian
- Turkish
- Croatian
- Slovak
- Slovenian
- Arabic
- Hungarian
- Russian
- Slavic languages
- Portuguese
- Romanian; Moldavian; Moldovan
- Persian
- Kalaallisut; Greenlandic
- Albanian
- Serbian
- Bulgarian
- Polish
The archive is chiefly in English, Greek, and French, with limited use of other languages.
Conditions Governing Access
Some material is closed.
Preferred Citation
Oxford, Bodleian Libraries [followed by shelfmark and folio or page reference, e.g. MS. 23105/1].
Full range of shelfmarks:
MSS. 23105/1-366, 373-512; MSS. 23105 photogr. 1-27
Collection ID (for staff)
CMD ID 23105
Abstract
Papers and correspondence of Maria Becket (1931-2012), political activist against the Greek military junta (1967-1974) and for international human rights, and later environmental activist and organiser.
Biographical / Historical
Maria Becket, née Hari (1931-2012), was a Greek political activist who was involved in campaigns against the Greek military junta of 1967-1974. After formative experiences living through the Greek Civil War, she developed deep political convictions. She and her American husband, James Becket (b. 1936), were instrumental in bringing the torture of political prisoners to public attention in the case against Greece to the Council of Europe in 1969. From their home in Geneva, they also participated in activism against the junta including the extraction of prisoners from Greece.
After the fall of the junta, Maria Becket became involved in human rights and political campaigns in Cyprus, Turkey, and Palestine as well as in human rights campaigns in many other countries. She worked on campaigns for the Greek New Democracy Party and as an organiser for Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan. In 1995, she founded Religion, Science and the Environment in conjunction with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, and organised eight floating 'symposiums' bringing together scientists and religious leaders to discuss the environment and climate change in different regions across the globe.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Given to the Bodleian Library by Daphne Becket, 2023.
Topical
- 20th century
- 21st century
- Advocacy -- Human rights
- Climate change
- Cyprus -- Politics and government
- Earth sciences
- Global development and the environment
- Greece
- History
- Humanities
- International relations
- Life sciences
- Palestine
- Politics and Government
- Religions
- Scientists
- Social sciences
- Theology
- Turkey -- Foreign relations -- Greece
- Title
- Catalogue of the Archive of Maria Becket
- Status
- Published
- Author
- Lucy Smith
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Edition statement
- First edition.
Repository Details
Part of the Bodleian Libraries Repository
Weston Library
Broad Street
Oxford OX1 3BG United Kingdom
specialcollections.enquiries@bodleian.ox.ac.uk