THEOTOKS, YRGOS

born Aug. 27, 1906, Constantinople, Ottoman Empire [now Istanbul, Tur.] died Oct. 30, 1966, Athens, Greece Yrgos also spelled Gergios Greek novelist known for his clarity of expression and civilized writing. Theotoks studied in Athens, Paris, and London, and his first literary venture was an essay, Free Spirit (1929). He published three novels before World War II, Argo (1936), probably the best known; The Demon (1938); and Leons (1940), perhaps his best, set in the Constantinople of his childhood. After the war Theotoks turned his attention to the theatre, writing plays and working as director of the National Theatre and later as president of the administrative committee of the State Theatre of Northern Greece. Of his plays, the best known is The Game of Madness and Prudence, set in Byzantine times. His last works were books of travel, including Travel in the Middle East and the Holy Mountain (1961).