George Dertilis studied Public Law at the University of Athens, Economics, Political Theory and History at the University of Sheffield, U.K. He taught modern and contemporary history at the University of Athens and, as visiting professor, at Harvard, Oxford, and the European University Institute, Florence.

In 2000, he was elected directeur d’études (professor) at the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (É.H.É.S.S.) in Paris. Since then he lives and works in France, where he was conferred the “Palmes Académiques” (chevalier) and the French nationality. He served as member of the board of research and cultural institutions in France and in Greece.

His publications include fourteen books and over fifty articles and essays. George Dertilis is member of the Academia Europaea (London) and Professor Emeritus of the University of Athens. The latest book by George B. Dertilis, entitled: "Επτά πόλεμοι, τέσσερις εμφύλιοι, επτά πτωχεύσεις, 1824-2016", (pages 154, "Polis, Athens, October 2016), includes the text and parts of the author's speech, delivered during the Delphi Economic Forum, in February 2016.