Classic Author Focus: Henryk Sienkiewicz

Henryk Sienkiewicz


Henryk Sienkiewicz was a Polish writer and Nobel Prize winner best known for epic historical novels. The Nobel Prize page for him states that he was the “most outstanding and prolific Polish writer of the second half of the 19th century.” (Just as a side note, I have to say that his With Fire and Sword, the first novel of his “Trilogy” series, was one of the most exciting novels I have read.)



Sienkiewicz was born in an area of Poland that was ruled by Russia. His works are markedly patriotic, which makes sense because his family was actively involved in working for Poland’s freedom from Russia. He was the product of an impoverished noble family. When he was a child, his family moved around a lot, from family estate to family estate, until they settled in Warsaw in 1861. He had already been receiving schooling there since 1858, receiving poor grades except in the humanities.



At 19, Sienkiewicz was working as a tutor and writing his first novel, one that he destroyed. He went on to study Philology and History at the Imperial University of Warsaw. His first published work was the review of a play for Przegląd Tygodniowy in 1869. He began publishing pieces in various magazines and journals and eventually wrote several columns for different publications. He collaborated on a translation of a Victor Hugo novel and was part owner in a journal. In 1872, he published his first novel, Na marne (In Vain) followed by other fictional sketches. He became a prominent figure in Warsaw’s literary world.



In 1874, he began traveling, first to Paris and Belgium. Then he accompanied a soon-to-be famous actress, Helen Modjeska, and her husband to London, New York, and San Francisco. From there, he traveled extensively in the American Southwest, writing travel essays and those discussing American Polish affairs. In 1878, he returned to Europe; however, he delayed his return to Poland because of fears of conscription by the Russian army. Once he returned to Warsaw, he met and married Maria Szetkiewicz in 1879. Although their marriage was reportedly a happy one, with two children, she died of tuberculosis in 1885.



After his return to Poland, Sienkiewicz began writing historical novels as well as resuming his journalistic activities and publishing short stories. His first historical novel, published in 1880, was Niewola tatarska (Tartar Captivity) . His huge Trilogy series, consisting of three long novels, was serialized from 1883-1888. The first volume was originally titled Wilcze gniazdo (The Wolf’s Lair) and was eventually published as Ogniem i Mieczem (With Fire and Sword) . The second volume, Potop  ( The Deluge ), was serialized from 1884-1886 and the third, Pan Wołodyjowski  (Sir Michael), from 1887-1888. Although he wrote many other historical novels, his most famous one is probably Quo Vadis, published in 1895.



Shortly after the outbreak of World War I, Sienkiewicz moved to Switzerland, where he established a charity for Polish war relief. He died in Switzerland from heart disease. After Poland regained its independence from Russia in 1924, his remains were returned to Warsaw.



At the turn of the century, Sienkiewicz was the most popular author in Poland and one of the most popular in areas of Europe. As well as other honors, Sienkiewicz received the Nobel Prize in 1905.



Dates: 1846-1916



Most popular works: Quo Vadis, the Trilogy series, The Teutonic Knights



Other works: On the Field of Glory, In Desert and Wilderness, Without Dogma, Yanko the Musician and Other Stories , and many others



Member reviews:




Quo Vadis? ( Hobby Buku ) ( Carol ) ( whatmeread )



With Fire and Sword ( whatmeread )