Inspired by philhellenism as a law student, George Finlay (1799–1875) took part in the Greek war of independence alongside Lord Byron. While later researching the history and archaeology of the country, Finlay also sought improvements to the administration and economic development of the independent Greek state. Published in 1861, this two-volume account of the Greek revolution, including its military conflicts and political consequences, traces events up to the creation of a constitutional monarchy. Volume 1 gives a detailed overview of the economic and social world of Greece under Ottoman rule; Finlay describes the various ethnic and social groups of Greece and its neighbours, and the structure of the Ottoman administration. Starting with the earliest Greek uprisings, he takes the history up to the end of 1822. Finlay's seven-volume History of Greece (1877) is also reissued in this series.