Debiut romantyka – Józef Bohdan Zaleski

Abstract

The article discusses the most important information concerning Józef Bohdan Zaleski’s childhood and youth, accentuating his part in the November Uprising along with his creative interests rooted in his region. The poet’s first literary attempts are named, some quoted, analyzed and interpreted. Additionally, literary criticism of the debuting writer is reminded, including Maurycy Mochnacki’s comments in particular. Some extra interest is devoted to Adam Mickiewicz’s patronage, i.e. his enthusiastic opinions on the value of Zaleski’s poetry, which the author of Pan Tadeusz expressed during his lectures in Paris. The aim of the article is to recall the forgotten poet, who used to be famous and who, along with Antoni Malczewski and Seweryn Goszczyński, was one of the greatest creators of the so-called Ukrainian trend in Polish Romanticism.