Józef Ignacy Kraszewski, known for his industriousness and literary prolificacy, is nevertheless a little-explored figure. He had a life full of successes, but also of sadness and separation.
Growing Up to Write
Kraszewski was born in the year of Napoleon’s campaign against Russia. It was mid-summer, July 28, 1812. The future writer’s family was a „coat of arms” family (specifically of the Jastrzębiec coat of arms, from which Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski, also a writer, descended). His parents were Zofia and Jan.
Little Józef grew up in a large family (three brothers and two sisters) in Romanów. His younger brother Kajetan also decided to pursue creative work.
It is no wonder that the brothers were so passionate about books – their parents were educated and had a large library at home. The future writer’s mother read to the family gathered at the table in the evenings, and everyone listened to her. Józef’s grandparents also influenced his literary interests.
Interestingly, however, after finishing high school in Świsłocz, he chose to study medicine. These studies, requiring precision and a rigorous mind (which the young Kraszewski certainly possessed), but also lacking creativity, could not satisfy this young student in the long run. So shortly after starting them, he transferred to the Faculty of Letters.
When Józef Kraszewski was coming of age, preparations for the November Uprising were beginning. For his participation in the conspiracy, the young man was imprisoned and kept under police supervision until 1833. During this time, he began writing his first novels.
A New Chapter in Life – Marriage and Life Together with His Mother’s Namesake
Józef Ignacy returned at the age of 21 to his native region, to a village with the graceful name of Dołhe. There he helped his father on the farm.
It so happened that this industrious and multi-talented author of historical books met Zofia Woroniczówna, four years (and three months and 10 days) his junior, and of course a noblewoman – of the Pawęża coat of arms. She was also related as a niece to Primate Jan Paweł Woronicz. And it happened like this.
A dozen or so miles from Józef’s father’s estate, in Horodec, there was a library. As soon as his father allowed the young man to go there, he hastily did so. He literally immersed himself in books. However, probably not so much that he failed to notice on one occasion the presence of Zofia Woroniczówna, who was staying there with her aunt.
The girl was full of virtues. Józef Ignacy is said to have said about her: „one cannot deny her the sweetest character, the best inclinations, talents, in a word everything that can only be desired.”
They married on either June 10 or 22, 1838. The marriage proved to be happy, though even more so – lasting. They lived together for nearly 49 years, including the time of separation after Józef’s departure from Warsaw.
The couple settled in Omelno in Volhynia, but later bought the village of Gródek, near Łuck. This was not an easy time for them. They had to deal (which ultimately failed) with debts weighing on the village and difficult farm life. However, Kraszewski found some time for travel – by 1848 he managed to visit Odessa and Kyiv, and also stopped in Warsaw.
Little is known about the daily life of the Kraszewski household. One can assume that at least for the first 10 years of their life they were happy together, as during this time they had four children – two daughters and two sons. Of course, this fact does not necessarily indicate marital harmony, but nothing is known about any serious conflicts between Zofia and Józef Ignacy, or about scandals in this family. On the other hand, Kraszewski traveled a lot and had little time for his family.
It is also a fact that he wrote more and more, and his wife probably took care of the house and children. If so, the wife was apparently a great help to her husband, who could devote himself during the day (and perhaps at night) to his creative work and professional activities.
The Master’s Professional Work. Politics Breaks Up the Family and Elevates to a Pedestal
In 1853, Józef Ignacy Kraszewski moved with his wife and children to Zhytomyr, where they lived for seven years. During this time, he served as school superintendent, but not only that. He worked for the Noble Club as director and for the Charity Society as its president.
In earlier years, which may be worth mentioning, he collaborated with the Vilnius „Athenaeum,” „Petersburg Weekly,” „Warsaw Gazette,” and „Daily Gazette.”
Political involvement would prove for Kraszewski to be both honor-bringing and disastrous (from a human point of view). He participated in activities on behalf of Polish emigrant politics. He opposed the policies of Margrave Aleksander Wielopolski, who, among other things, organized conscription into the Russian army in 1863. That same year, due precisely to Kraszewski’s position and his (probable) support for the so-called „White” party, the writer had to leave the Kingdom of Poland.
Kraszewski never returned to Warsaw. He left his wife and children and never saw them again until his death. A new era began for him – difficult, but also building the foundation for his later commemoration as a national writer and, to some extent, a hero.
In Exile
The writer went to Dresden. There he helped Polish immigrants as much as he could. It turned out that Józef Kraszewski was not only a hardworking writer, but also a man with a good heart and attached to his homeland.
He was interested not only in science and painting. He noticed that lithography and copperplate engraving were also interesting hobbies. Moreover, he traveled extensively.
In 1879, the 50th anniversary of Józef Ignacy Kraszewski’s creative work occurred. In Kraków, this event was organized, which turned into a patriotic demonstration. There were also other positive aspects. The writer received an order from the Emperor of Austria himself and a star on his chest from the King of Italy.
The Last Years of Life
Józef Ignacy remained engaged until the end of his life in conveying to his countrymen what he had to say. He perceived all the sorrows and joys of his nation despite remaining in emigration, and from this came more books and letters.
He was said to intercede for his countrymen and Lusatians who were threatened with complete Germanization. He refused no one help if such was needed.
In his last years, he was seriously ill. Harassed by the authorities of countries that noticed his spreading influence (Kraszewski was decidedly not convenient for the partitioning powers with his pro-Polish activities), he finally had to emigrate to Italy. After an earthquake, in even worse health, he had to move to Switzerland.
Geneva proved to be the end of his journey. There, having received the last rites, he died on the feast day of his baptismal patron saint, St. Joseph, on March 19, 1887.
