Maria Konopnicka: (1842-1910) Polish Author

Maria Konopnicka was born on May 12, 1842 in Suwalki, Poland.  She spent most of her life in exile from Russian-dominated Poland and grew to be one of the greatest patriotic short story writers of her generation.  Much of her work focuses on the oppression of the peasantry, including Pan Balcer w Brazylji (Mr. Balcer in Brazil). (The Encyclopedia Britannica, 15^th Edition, p. 950)

She was a representative writer of positivism, a movement started in Vienna during the 1920s that criticized theological and metaphysical concepts and excluded them from logical reasoning.  Her stories and poems emulate the social issues of the time, particularly women and children’s issues.  Her best known stories in Poland are Niemczaki (The German Children) and Nasza Szkapa (Our Old Mare). (The Encyclopedia Britannica, 15^th Edition, p. 950)

“In 1952 the bust of the noted Polish poetess, Maria Konopnicka, was unveiled and dedicated. This was the gift of the Polish Ladies Educational Circle.” (Lederer, Clara. Their Paths Are Peace: The Story of Cleveland’s Cultural Gardens. p.84)

Photographs:

Photographs of the Garden

Further Reading:

New Poland, The Polish Web

The Poles, The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History

Polish National Catholic Church, The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History

Polish National Anthems

Polish Literature in English Translation

The Encyclopedia Britannica, 15^th Edition, Vol. 6, p. 950, 2002.