Franciszek Karpiński facts for kids

Franciszek Karpiński

Franciszek Karpiński (born October 4, 1741 – died September 16, 1825) was a very important Polish poet during a time called the Age of Enlightenment. He was known for his "sentimental" style of writing, which focused on feelings and emotions. People especially remember him for his religious poems, which later became popular hymns and carols. He was also seen as one of the most original Polish writers during the difficult period when Poland was being divided by other countries. In Poland, he was greatly admired during the early 1800s, a time known as the Polish Romantic Period.

Life of Franciszek Karpiński

Early Life and Education

Franciszek Karpiński was born in 1741 in a place called Hołosków, near Kolomyia. This area was part of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth back then. He went to school in Stanisławów and later studied at the University of Lwow. There he earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree. He then spent about a year and a half in Vienna, learning different languages. His first job was teaching children in the homes of wealthy noble families.

A Poet's Journey

In 1780, Karpiński's first book of poems caught the attention of the powerful Czartoryski family. With their help, he traveled to Warsaw to become a secretary for Prince Adam Kazimierz Czartoryski. He wrote three books of poetry, which became very popular.

However, after a few years, he became unhappy with the way things were in the capital city. He felt there was a lot of dishonesty. So, he decided to move back to the countryside in the Polish Kresy region. This area was by then under the control of Austria.

Famous Works and Later Years

Between 1785 and 1818, Karpiński worked as a tutor for the Branicki family in Białystok. During this time, he wrote some of his most famous works. These include "Bóg się rodzi, moc truchleje" ("God is Born, Power Trembles") and "Kiedy ranne wstają zorze" ("When the Morning Lights Arise"). These religious and patriotic songs, hymns, and carols were sung by many generations. They helped make his works famous in Poland forever. In 1800, he joined a new group called the Society of Friends of Science.

Some of his poems mention a woman named "Justina" in a romantic way. Because of this, people called him "Justina's lover" during his lifetime. Some people think he used the name Justina for all the women he loved. This means he might have been talking about at least three different women with that name.

In 1818, he retired to a manor near Wołkowysk (now Vawkavysk in Belarus). There, he wrote his memoirs, which are like his life story. He passed away on September 16, 1825.

Franciszek Karpiński is buried in Łysków (currently Lyskava in Pruzhany District, Belarus).

See also

• Enlightenment in Poland
• Polish poetry