Asnyk, Adam b. September 11, 1838 d. August 2, 1897 Polish poet and dramatist. He published his poems in the collections Poezje (1869, 1872, 1880, 1894). He began his literary career in 1864-65. The fullest expression of his intellectualised poetry is the series of 30 sonnets, Nad glebiami (1883-94), owing to which Asnyk came to be referred to as "a poet-philosopher." This series comprises the poet's philosophical system, which was an attempt at reconciling idealism with positivist realism and scientism. He was leading poet of positivism period...[Read More] (Bio by: Kasia) Skalka Sanctuary, Krakow, Malopolskie, Poland
Dlugosz, Jan b. 1415 d. May 19, 1480 Preeminent medieval Polish historian and diplomat. Born in Brzeznica, Poland and educated in literature and philosophy at the Academy of Cracow. Ordained in 1440 and appointed secretary to Cardinal Zbigniew Olesnicki, Bishop of Cracow. Best remembered for his monumental 12 volume History of Poland (Historiae Polonicae) which was partially published in 1614, and finally in full in 1711. The first of its kind, it inspired Poles with pride in their past and favourably changed the attitude of...[Read More] (Bio by: Fred Beisser) Skalka Sanctuary, Krakow, Malopolskie, Poland
Milosz, Czeslaw b. June 30, 1911 d. August 14, 2004 Polish Poet and Nobel Prize recipient 1980. Born in Seteiniai, in what is now Lithuania, he was co-founder of a literary group "Zagary" and made his literary début in 1930 when he published two volumes of poetry and worked for the Polish Radio. Spent most of WWII in Warsaw working for underground presses. In the diplomatic service of the Poland beginning in 1945, he left the communist government in 1951 moving to France where he wrote several books. Awarded Prix Littéraire Européen in 1953...[Read More] (Bio by: Fred Beisser) Skalka Sanctuary, Krakow, Malopolskie, Poland
Szymanowski, Karol b. October 6, 1882 d. March 28, 1937 Composer. Considered one of the greatest Polish composers in the first half of the 20th century. Born on his family's estate in Tymoszówka in the Ukraine, he studied in Berlin and Warsaw. His music can be divided into three phases. Early works before World War I reflect his appreciation of Frederic Chopin, Richard Wagner and Richard Strauss. Second phase is influenced by the Orient and Mediterranean cultures similar to the music of Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel and resulted in many of his...[Read More] (Bio by: Fred Beisser) Skalka Sanctuary, Krakow, Malopolskie, Poland
Wyspianski, Stanislaw b. January 18, 1869 d. November 28, 1907 Polish writer, dramatist and painter. Born in Krakow, he studied at the Kraków School of Fine Arts, and in 1889 he and Józef Mehoffer, the school’s most talented students, were appointed to complete Matejko’s painted decorations for St Mary, Kraków, which sparked his interest in both decorative painting and stained glass. Wyspianski is best remembered for his works in writing and producing original plays dealing with the problem of Poland's destiny and for his stained glass work. He was a...[Read More] (Bio by: Fred Beisser) Skalka Sanctuary, Krakow, Malopolskie, Poland
b. September 11, 1838 d. August 2, 1897