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Heritage: History Library

FAMOUS POLES.....

Poland's culture is rich in it's history and contributions to society. To learn more about famous Poles and their contributions visit the Famous Poles Page of NewPoland. You can learn what Poles have received the Nobel prize at Nobel Laureates of Polish Origin.

We have highlighted a few prominent Poles here with links to additional resources.

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NOBEL LAUREATES


Yosef Shmuel AGON
(1888-1970)
1966 Literature (2)


Menachem BEGIN
(1913 - 1992)
1978 Peace

Georges CHARPAK
(1924-)
1992 Physics(2)


Marie CURIE
(see Featured Poles)
1903 Physics

Roald HOFFMAN
(1937 - )
1981 Chemistry (2)

Klaus von KLITZING
(1943 -)
1985 Physics (2)

Maria Goeppert MAYER
(1906 - 1972)
1963 Physics (2)

Albert MICHELSON
(1852 - 1931)
1907 Physics(2)

Czeslaw MILOSZ
(1930 - )
1980 Literature

Walther H. NERNST
(1864 - 1941)
1920 Chemistry (2)

Wladyslaw REYMONT
(1867 - 1920)
1924 Literature (2)

Andrew SCHALLY
(1926 - )
1977 Medicine (2)

Henryk SIENKIEWICZ
(1846 - 1916)
1905 Literature

Isaac Bashevis SINGER
(1904 - 1991)
1978 Literature (2)

Wislawa SZYMBORSKA
(1923 - )
1966 Literature (2) (3)

Lech WALESA
(1943 - )
1983 Peace


Visit
NOBEL e-MUSEUM
to see all the Nobel Laureates.
Featured Poles:

Chopin
Frederic Chopin (1810-1849)

Chopin is considered by many to be the greatest piano music composer. Born in Zelazowa Wola, Poland to a French father and a Polish mother, he began his love affair with music and the piano at the age of six. He grew up in Poland, but spent most of his adulthood in Paris, France where he reached fame was to be his final resting place.

Some of Chopin's classical music (midi) are featured in the Heritage Center on the Culture page. This page opens with a random song playing which can be turned off by scrolling up to the music control.


Maria <p>Sklodowska-Curie
Maria Sklodowska-Curie (1867-1934)

The first Polish Nobel laureate, is featured on a stamp issued in 1992. She is considered one of the leading scientist of here time. We recommend visiting Zbigniew Zwolinksi's excellent site about her life contributions to science.


Jan Karski 1944
Jan Karski (1914-2000)

A leader in the cause of freedom. During WWII, Jan Karski, a young diplomat in service to Poland, put his life at great personal risk to identify and inform the West of the atrocities being committed by the NAZI's in Poland.

The youngest of eight children, Jan was born in Lodz, Poland as Jan Kozielewski. He was an excellent student and as a young adult he was recruited into the Polish diplomatic service. He moved to the United States in 1943 where he remain until his death in 2000.


Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II (Karol Wojtyla)

Pope John Paul II depicted here in a portrait done by Roland Conti, is one of the most universally recognized people in the world. He was born in Wadowice, Poland in 1920 as Karol Wojtyla, where he began his servitude to the Lord and humanity.


Josef Pilsudski
Marshall Josef Pilsudski (1867-1935)

A major political and military leader of the early 20th Centure in the fight for an independent Poland.

Independence Day: On November 11, 1918, Poland once again established itself as an independent state after 123 years of foreign rule. Read his comments at the time of this historic event at the site of the Polish Consulate in Kidderminister, UK web site.


Poles of Distinction:
Resource links are shown as number (1)(2)(3). The (#) indicates site with multiple resources on subject. Can you add to this list of Poles? Send us the information!
    Arts:
  • Bashevis, Isaac (1904-1991): Singer (see Nobelist)
  • Chelmonski, Jozef (1849-1914): Painter (1)
  • Hasior, Wladyslaw: Sculptor (1)
  • Kaper, Bronislaw: Composer (Music Oscar for movie Lili)(1)
  • Kieslowski, Krzysztof (1941-1996): Film maker (1)
  • Modrzejewska, Helena (1840-1909): Shakespearian Actress (1)
  • Matejko, Jan (1838-1893): Painter (1)
  • Wajda, Andrzej: Playwrite (1)
  • Ziolkowski, Korczak (1908-1982): Scuptor (1) (2) (3)

    Kings of Poland:

  • Visit Gallary of Polish Master Pieces for complete list, pictures and information.

    Literature:

  • Andrzejewski, Jersy (1909-1983): Writer (1)
  • Bielski, Martin (1536-1612): Historian (1)
  • Conrad, Joseph (1857-1924): Writer (1)(2)
  • Czajkowski, Michal, Sdayk Pasha (1804-1886): Writer (1)
  • Dobrowska, Marja (1889-1965): Novelist (1)
  • Fredro (1793-1876): Dramatist (1)
  • Gombrowicz, Witold (1904-1969): Author (1)
  • Kochanowski, Jan (1530-1584): Poet (1)(2)
  • Konopnicka, Maria (1842-1910): Poet (1)
  • Korzeniowski, Jozef (1797-1863) Novelist:
  • Krasinski, Zygmunt (1812-59): Poet (1)
  • Kraszewski, Jozef Ignacy (1812-1887) Author: (1)
  • Lutoslawski, Witold (1913-1994): Composer (1)
  • Mickiewicz, Adam Bernard (1798-1855): Poet/writer(1) (2) (3) (4)
  • Milosz, Czeslaw (1930- ): Writer (see Nobelists)
  • Modrzewski (1503-72): Poet
  • Nalkowska, Zofia (1885-1954): Novelist
  • Orzechowski (1513-66): Political writer
  • Rej, Mikoaj (1505-69): Writer, consider father of Polish literature.
  • Reymont, Wladyslaw (1867-1920): Writer (see Nobelists)
  • Rostworoski, Karol H. (1877-1938): Novelists
  • Rzewuski, Henryk (1791-1866): Novelist
  • Shmuel, Yosef (1888-1970): Writer (see Nobelist)
  • Sienkiewicz, Henryk (1846-1916): Writer (see Nobelist)
  • Skarga, Piotr (1536-1612): Writer (1)
  • Slowacki, Juliusz (1809-49): Poet (1)
  • Stachura, Edward (1937-1979): Writer (1)
  • Szaniawski, Jerzy (1800s): Novelist
  • Szymborska, Wislawa (1923- ): Writer (see Nobelist)
  • Tuwim, Julian (1894-1953): Poet (1)
  • Wiktor, Heltman (1796-1874): Political writer (1)
  • Index of Polish Authors - Virtual Polish Literature Library

    Music:

  • Paderewski, Igancy Jan (1860-1941): Composer (1)
  • Rodzinski, Artur(1892-??): Conductor (1)
  • Szymanowska, Maria (1789-1831): Composer, pianist (1)
  • Wierzynski, Kaimierz (1894-1969): Poet (1)

    Religion:

  • Kolbe, Maksymilian (1894-1941): Saint (1)(2)
  • Kollataj, Hugo (1750-1812) Priest: (1)
  • Popieluszko, Jerzy Fr. (1947-1984): Religious leader (1)
  • Krol, Jan: 1st Polish American Cardinal
  • Saint Hedwig (abt 1174-1243): (1)

    Science:

  • Bekker, Mieczyslaw: Scientist (built Apollo moon rover) (1)
  • Charpak, Georges (1924- ): Physics (see Nobelists)
  • Copernicus, Nicolaus (1473-1543): Scientist (#)
  • Goetel, Walery (1889-1972): Geologist (1)
  • Hoffman, Roald (1937- ): Chemistry (see Nobelist)
  • Klitzing, Klaus von (1943- ): Physics (see Nobelist)
  • Mayer, Maria Goeppert (1906-1972): Physics (see Nobelist)
  • Michelson, Albert (1852-1931): hysics (see Nobelist)
  • Nernst, Walther H. (1864-1941): Chemistry (see Nobelist)
  • Schally, Andrew (1926- ): Medicine (see Nobelist)
  • Sklowdowska-Curie, Maria (1867-1934): Physics (see Featured & Nobelist)
  • Index of Polish Scientists - American Polish Inst. Org.

    Society:

  • Anders, Wladyslaw (1892-1970): Soldier (1)
  • Begin, Menachem (1913-1992): Political leader (see Nobelists)
  • Ben-Gurion, David (1886-1973): Political leader (1)
  • Chrzanowski, Wojciech (1793-1861) Soldier: (1)
  • Czartoryski, Adam (1770-1861): Statesman (1) (2)
  • Dembinski, Henryk (1791-1864) Soldier: (1)
  • Korczak, Janusz (1878-1942) Author/Educator: (1)(2)
  • Kukuczka, Jerzy "Jurek"(1948-1989): Climber (1)
  • Kosciousko, Thaddeus (1746-1817): Patriot (1)(2)
  • Liebelt, Karol (1807-1875): Politician (1)
  • Krzyzanowski, Wladimir B.: Soldier/Politician (fought in Cival War, 1st gov. of Alaska)
  • Mieroslawski, Ludwik (1814-1878): Soldier(1)
  • Poniatowski, Jozef (1763-1813): Statesman, soldier (1)
  • Potrowski, Gustaw (1800-1860): Politician (1)
  • Pulaski, Casimir (1747-1779): Soldier (1)(2)(3)(4)
  • Reichstein, Tadeus (1897-1996): Medicine (1)
  • Sikorski, Wladyslaw: Soldier/statesman (1)
  • Stefanski, Walenty (1813-1877): Politician (1) (2)
  • Walesa, Lech (1943- ): Political leader (see Nobelist)
  • Wesolowski, Stefan P.(1909-1987): Soldier (1)
  • Wysocki, Jozef(1809-1873): Soldier (1)
  • Zachariasz Bern, Jozef(1794-1850): Soldier (1)
  • Zasmoyski, Wladslaw (1803-1868): Patriot(1)
  • Zierkowski-Lenoir, Ludwik (1803-1860): Soldier (1)

    Contemporary Personalities:

  • Abakanowicz, Magalena: Sculptor (1)
  • Blazonczyk, Eddie: Musician, polka (1)
  • Brzezinski, Zbigniew: Politcs (Security advisor to President Carter)
  • Burzynski, Stanislaw: Physician (Cancer research)
  • Haiman, Mieczyslaw: Historian (1st curator of Chicago's Polish Museum)
  • Kostyra-Stewart, Martha: Personality, lifestyle (1)(2)
  • Lem, Stanislaw (1921-) Author: (1)(2)
  • Makowicz, Adam: Pianist, jazz (1)
  • Musial, Stanley: Baseball (1)(2)
  • Muskie, Edmund: Politician (former U.S. Senator)
  • Pawlowski, Miroslaw: Artist (1)
  • Peres, Shimon (1923-) Political leader (1)
  • Polanski, Roman (1933-): director, actor (1)
  • Vinton, Stanley "Bobby" (1935-): singer (1)
  • Wajda, Andrzej (1926-): film-maker (Oscar) (1) (2) (3)
  • Walczak, Jozef: Artist (1)
  • Shamir, Yitzhak (1915-): Political leader (1)


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