Adam Mickiewicz

National Poet of Poland, Romantic master, and leading voice of Slavic literature.

Chronology: 1798-12-24 – 1855-11-26

Origins & Early Life

Adam Bernard Mickiewicz (24 December 1798 – 26 November 1855) was a Polish poet, dramatist, essayist, publicist, translator and political activist. He is regarded as a national poet in Poland, Lithuania and Belarus. He also largely influenced Ukrainian literature and affected Russian literature. A principal figure in Polish Romanticism, he is one of Poland's "Three Bards" (Polish: trzej wieszcze) and is widely regarded as Poland's greatest poet.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He is also considered one of the greatest Slavic and European poets and has been dubbed a "Slavic bard". He is known chiefly for the poetic drama Dziady (Forefathers' Eve) and the national epic poem Pan Tadeusz. His other influential works include Konrad Wallenrod and Grażyna. All these served as inspiration for uprisings against the three imperial powers that had partitioned the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth out of existence. His works also promoted the Lithuanian National Revival; the opening of Lithuania's national anthem, Tautiška giesmė (1898), is a paraphrase of the opening of Pan Tadeusz.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Mickiewicz was born in the Russian-partitioned territories of the former Grand Duchy of Lithuania, which had been part of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth...

Source: Wikipedia