Biography of Stanley Kerr
Stanley E. Kerr was an American humanitarian and professor renowned for his work with Near East Relief, an organization that supported Armenian and Greek refugees during and after the Armenian Genocide. In his mid-twenties, Kerr left his home in the United States and volunteered with Near East Relief in Marash, Turkey. While in Marash, he met his future wife, Elsa Reckman. Together, they witnessed the devastation of the Armenian Genocide.
Compelled by their experiences, they dedicated the rest of their lives to organizing humanitarian support for the survivors and providing educational leadership for all Middle Easterners through their work at the American University of Beirut. Kerr documented the struggles faced by Armenian refugees in Marash in his book, "The Lions of Marash."
Summary
Lions of Marash: Personal Experiences with American Near East Relief, 1919-1922 by Stanley E. Kerr provides an account of the humanitarian efforts in end stages and the aftermath of World War I, specifically focusing on the Near East Relief (NER) organization's work in Marash, Turkey. The book details Kerr’s personal experiences and observations while working with NER, which was instrumental in providing aid to Armenian and Greek refugees who were victims of the genocide and displacements during this tumultuous period. Kerr's writings not only sheds light on the dire humanitarian conditions but also features the strength of both the aid workers and the refugees. Kerr write about the complexities of providing aid in a politically and ethnically charged environment, which sheds light on piece of early 20th-century humanitarian efforts.