Origins & Early Life

Zbigniew Herbert (Polish: [ˈzbiɡɲɛf ˈxɛrbɛrt] ; 29 October 1924 – 28 July 1998) was a Polish poet, essayist, drama writer and moralist. He is one of the best known and the most translated post-war Polish writers. While he was first published in the 1950s (a volume titled Chord of Light was issued in 1956), soon after he voluntarily ceased submitting most of his works to official Polish government publications. He resumed publication in the 1980s, initially in the underground press.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Starting in the 1960s, he was nominated several times for the Nobel Prize in Literature. His books have been translated into 38 languages. Herbert was one of the main poets of the Polish opposition to communism. Starting in 1986, he lived in Paris, where he cooperated with the journal Zeszyty Literackie. He came back to Poland in 1992.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

On 1 July 2007 the Polish Government instituted 2008 as the Year of Zbigniew Herbert. In 2013, the Zbigniew Herbert International Literary Award was established in honour of the poet and his literary legacy. He received the 1963 Kościelski Prize (Geneva), 1965 Jurzykowski Prize, 1965 Austrian State Prize for European Literature, 1973 Herder Prize (Austria), 1979 Petrarca-Preis...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Anatole France — Contemporary (Died in 1924) (1924): Master French writer, poet, and journalist celebrated for irony and style.
• Antony Hewish — Contemporary (Born in 1924) (1924): Pioneering radio astronomer, celebrated for the discovery of pulsars.
• Atal Bihari Vajpayee — Contemporary (Born in 1924) (1924): Indian statesman and poet, served as Prime Minister of India multiple times.
• Aitana Bonmatí — Contemporary (Born in 1998) (1998): Star Spanish midfielder known for her decorated career with Barcelona and the Spain national team.
• Akira Kurosawa — Contemporary (Died in 1998) (1998): Master of Japanese cinema, known for dynamic style and epic storytelling.
• Alan J. Pakula — Contemporary (Died in 1998) (1998): American film director, writer, and producer known for political thrillers.
• A. J. Ayer — Shared historical date (10-29 · Born) (1910): Influential English philosopher known for logical positivism and emotivism.
• Dominick Dunne — Shared historical date (10-29 · Born) (1925): American writer and journalist known for high society crime fiction.
• Abraham Pais — Shared historical date (07-28 · Died) (2000): Pioneering physicist and acclaimed science historian of modern physics.
• Adrien Broner — Shared historical date (07-28 · Born) (1989): American former professional boxer known for winning world titles across multiple weight classes.
• 1924 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1924
• October 29 (10-29) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on October 29
• 1998 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1998
• July 28 (07-28) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on July 28