Lef Nosi, a signatory of Albania’s Independence, was also a philatelist, polyglot, archivist, ethnographer, and politician. He was born in Elbasan on April 9, 1877. He completed primary school in his hometown. Then, he studied pharmacy in Athens but returned early to focus on national history and culture.
In 1908, Nosi participated in the Congress of Manastir. The next year, he helped open the Elbasan Normal School. In 1910, he founded the newspaper Tomorri. His articles challenged Ottoman authorities. They arrested him and sentenced him to death. After protests by Albanian patriots, the sentence changed to exile.
On November 28, 1912, Nosi became a delegate at the Vlora Assembly. He signed the Declaration of Independence. He joined Ismail Qemali’s government as Minister of Posts and Telegraphs. In 1918, he participated in the Durrës Government and the Albanian delegation to the Paris Peace Conference.
After Fan Noli left politics, Nosi withdrew and dedicated himself to publishing historical documents, linguistic studies, and collecting cultural artifacts. During the Italian occupation, he was exiled to Italy. He returned in 1942 and joined the Balli Kombëtar.
During the German occupation (1943–1944), he served on the High Council of Regency. Later, the communist regime accused him of collaboration with occupiers. They executed him on February 15, 1946.
In 2007, Albania honored him with the “Gjergj Kastriot Skënderbeu” Order for his contributions to state-building and culture.
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