Ndoc Nikaj

Ndoc Nikaj (15 June 186416 January 1951) was an Albanian priest, writer, and historian. He was the first Albanian novelist to write and publish an original novel in the Albanian language, of 1905.

Biography Born in Shkodër on 15 June 1864, Nikaj was educated in the Albanian Pontifical Seminary and ordained as a priest in 1888. Along with Preng Doçi he was the creator of the Lidhja e Mshehët , which aimed at overthrowing the Ottoman Empire and the creation of an independent Albania. Such league inspired the Albanian Revolt of 1910. Nikaj was one of the founders of the literary society Society for the Unity of the Albanian Language, mostly known in Albanian as Shoqnia Bashkimi.

Nikaj established in 1909 his own printing press, "Shtypshkronja Nikaj" and also founded two newspapers: Koha in 1910 and Besa Shqyptare in 1913. Besa Shqyptare lasted until 1921.

Nikaj was arrested in 1921 for unknown reasons, and little is known about him until the end of World War II. He was arrested by the communists in 1946 and died in prison in 1951.

Nonliterary publications Nikaj's educational, religious and other publications are the following: (Rome 1888) (Shkodër 1899) (Brussels 1902) (London 1902)

Literary publications Nikaj wrote prose most of which is now rare to be found: (Shkodër 1892)

(Shkodër 1905) (Shkodër 1918) (Shkodër 1920) (Shkodër 1920) (Shkodër 1921)