Description

In brief: Józef Piłsudski, aka: Wiktor, Mieczysław (1867-1935), politician, statesman. Marshal of Poland. Active since his youth in liberation movements, arrested by Russian authorities in 1877 and deported to Siberia. After his release in 1892, returned to Poland and joined the Socialist Party. From 1895 member of the Central Committee. In 1904 travelled to Japan seeking support for a Polish uprising in the partitioned part of Poland under Russia. In 1908, under his initiative, a secret organization for armed struggle for the liberation of Poland was formed in Lvov. Organized Rifle Clubs in Galicia. In 1914 he decidedly opposed Russia and took charge of the Polish Legions. Arrested in 1917 and jailed in the fortress of Magdeburg, he became the living symbol of Poland’s struggle for independence. Once released from Magdeburg he became took over the leadership of the country from the Regency Council on 14 November 1918 and after parliamentary elections of 1919 he became the head of State. After the Polish-Russian war and the passing of the constitution of 1921 he retired from public life. However in May of 1926 he supported a coup d’etat and for the next five years, (1926-1930) he strengthened the party that he formed (BBWR), maintaining his influence over the political life of the country until his death in 1935

Contents: This collection consists of: genealogical materials of the Piłsudski family, and of individual family members. The most valuable part of the collection is that of the Marshal’s correspondence (mostly original letters), both personal and those related to political matters. Significant part concerns correspondence with Japanese diplomats. Much of the materials in this collection could be labeled as referring to the Marshal’s personality cult: press clippings, newspaper articles, reports of anniversary celebrations, etc. Some philatelic items, memoirs written by individuals.