Karola Estreichera biografia Mickiewiczowska w „Rozmaitościach” lwowskich

Abstract

The biography of Mickiewicz by K. Estreicher entitled Mickiewicz Adam N. przez Placyda Szczep was published under a pseudonym in 1859 not in “Nowiny” but in “Rozmaitości”, a supplement of “Gazeta Lwowska”, no. 25-36 and 42-52. “Rozmaitości” was a separate magazine with a carefully designed layout. However, individual issues had neither illustrations nor graphic ornaments between texts. Estreicher prepared a biographical story of Mickiewicz’s life, keeping the chronological order from the poet’s birth to his death; he made use of sources and biographical documents known and available to him. Of various factual significance, the sources and documents were frequently of anecdotal nature, however they had a reliable bibliographical basis. What draws attention are excerpts of private character, remembering the poet with an emotional load, sometimes slightly fictionalized. Containing biographical matter and bibliographical information, the work is divided into 12 parts. Parts I-IX discuss successive stages in the poet’s life, Parts X-XII include: Bibliographical description of editions of Mickiewicz’s works; Translation of poetry into foreign languages; Bibliographical sources; Register of translations done by Mickiewicz; Mickiewicz’s works according to dates and Compilation of statements about Mickiewicz. Undoubtedly, what is of value in texts published in “Rozmaitości” that form Mickiewicz’s biography is inclusion of many unknown facts from the poet’s life and explanation of Mickiewicz’s sources of inspiration for his works. It was the reality confirmed by facts and not sheer fantasy that counted most for Estreicher. What is also of interest are reflections of this great scholar and researcher as a penetrating reader, fascinated by the poet and his oeuvre. For future researchers, the bibliographical compilations and hints contained in Estreicher’s work constitute truly invaluable material.