Henryk Sienkiewicz Polish Journalist, Novelist

Henryk Sienkiewicz Polish journalist, novelist Henryk Sienkiewicz – Basic information Henryk Sienkiewicz (pseudonym „Litwos”) is Polish journalist, Nobel Prize laureate, born on 5 May 1846 in village Wola Okrzejska, he has written many historical novels such as „Quo Vadis” which is the one he is mostly remembered for. He is one of the most popular Polish writers of the 19th and 20th century. He died on 15 November 1916 in Vevey in Switzerland. Henryk Sienkiewicz – First years of life Sienkiewicz started his education in 1858 in Warsaw, where he moved to in 1861. When he was 19 years old, he had to take a job as a tutor due to bad money situation in his family. In 1866 he completed his secondary school and got his diploma. He then studied medicine, but then he changed to study law and after that he decided to study philology and history in Imperial University in Warsaw. He learned a lot about literature and old polish language there. Henryk Sienkiewicz – First novels and journalist debut Around this time, he got diploma, he started to write his first novel „Sacrifice”, that ended up being burned by him because he wasn’t satisfied with it. He also started writing another novel named „In Vain”. In 1869 he debuted as journalist. „Przegląd Tygodniowy” included his review of theater play and „Tygodnik Ilustrowany” printed his essay about Polish poet Mikołaj Sęp Szarzyński. After that he was writing to „Gazeta Polska” (newspaper) and „Niwa” (magazine) under nickname „Litwos”. He got his own column in „Gazeta Polska” and in „Niwa”. He ended up being co-owner of „Niwa”. Henryk Sienkiewicz – Later creations In 1872 Henryk published novels „In Vain” and „Humorous Sketches from Woroszyłła's Files”. 3 years later he wrote „The Old Servant” which was part of the „Little Trylogy” that consisted of „Hania” (1876) and „Selim Mirza” (1877). Henryk Sienkiewicz – Travel to USA In the meantime, when he was writing novels for „Little Trylogy” he went to trip to USA in 1876 with Helena Modrzejewska (actress). While he was in the USA he wrote „Letters from a journey to America” that were published in „Gazeta Polska” in years 1876-1878 and republished in one book in 1880. He also wrote other articles for „Przegląd Tygodniowy” talking about Polish people in America. His journey in USA motivated him to create several novels for example „The Lighthouse keeper”. In 1878 he came back to Europe, where he stopped in London and finally returned to Poland in 1879. Henryk Sienkiewicz – Years 1879 - 1888 While he was giving a lecture about his travel in America he met Maria Szetkiewicz, who would later become his wife. They traveled with her family to Venice and 2 years later after that he has married her. They had 2 children Henryk Józef Sienkiewicz and Jadwiga Maria Sienkiewicz. Sadly in 1885 Maria died of tuberculosis. In 1882 he became editor-in-chief for Warsaw newspaper „The word” however year later he decided to focus more on historical novels like „Tartar Captivity” released in 1880. Henryk Sienkiewicz – Years 1879 - 1888 1884 was the year Sienkiewicz began to write first historical novel from „Trylogy” titled „With Fire and Sword”. It was published in „The word” as well as in Cracow’s newspaper „The time”. This novel gave him big popularity and he also got good reviews. Then he started to write second part of „Trylogy” called „The Deluge” which was the same success as the previous one. In the meantime, he traveled to Constantinople where he was writing the last part of „Trylogy” named „Sir Michael”. After releasing whole „Trylogy” Sienkiewicz was established as one of the best Polish writers. Henryk Sienkiewicz – Trip to Africa In the end of 1891, he went to Africa where he wrote „Letters from Africa” and also released „Without dogma” in a book form. 3 years later he published „Children of the soil”. In 1895 Sienkiewicz started writing „Quo Vadis” and completed it in 1896. He then released „The Teutonic Knights” in year 1900. In the same year he got estate in Oblęgorek which was a gift from Polish community, currently the building is a museum about Sienkiewicz and his life. He also used his fame to support Polish people in Germany that were germanized. In the 1905 he got Nobel Prize for his whole career. Sienkiewicz wanted to make another trylogy but due to criticism he never completed it. After that he made his last novel „In Desert and Wilderness” in 1910 and then died in 1916 in Vevey. His ashes are now stored in underground of st John's cathedral in Poland. Thank you for listening!.

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