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Dora d'Istria | |
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 Portrait of Dora d'Istria by Petre Mateescu (1876) | |
| Born | 22 January 1828 Bucharest, Wallachia |
| Died | 17 November 1888 (aged 60) Florence, Kingdom of Italy |
| Occupation | Poet and writer |
| Genre | Romanticism |
| Literary movement | Albanian National Awakening |
| Signature | |
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Dora d'Istria, pen name of Duchess Helena Koltsova-Massalskaya, born Elena Ghica (Gjika) (22 January 1828, Bucharest – 17 November 1888, Florence), was a Romanian Romantic writer and feminist. She was an advocate for the Albanian national cause of the 19th century, and promoted the Albanian struggle for independence in Western Europe, despite not knowing the Albanian language herself. Her writings and efforts gained recognition among Albanian nationalist circles, and her name was used to garner support for the cause.
She was an accomplished writer, fluent in multiple languages including Romanian, Italian, German, French, Latin, Ancient and Modern Greek, and Russian. Her writings covered a wide range of topics, including monastic life, descriptions of countries and cultures, women's emancipation, historical narratives, and more. She advocated for the emancipation of women in the Levant and argued for equal treatment of men and women. Her work extended beyond writing – she was also a painter, a mountaineer who once made an ascent of Mont Blanc, and a member of various scholarly societies.
Her book Gli Albanesi in Rumenia and her contributions to the understanding of Albanian history and identity were significant. Her connections with Albanian patriots and her advocacy played a role in fostering a sense of Albanian national identity. Her impact resonated beyond her lifetime, as her family members and others continued to draw on her contributions to support the Albanian cause.