Boleslaw Prus

Boleslaw Prus (real name Aleksander Glowacki), 1847-1912, writer and journalist; played critical role in modernizing the Polish novel; co-creator of Polish Realism; humoresques, novellas, short stories: Klopoty babuni (Grandmother's Troubles, 1874), Powracajaca fala (The Returning Wave, 1880), Antek (1881), Kamizelka (The Vest, 1882), novelistic sketches incl.

When 16-years-old, Boleslaw Prus took part in the January Uprising against the Russian Empire (1863-1864). He was wounded and captured in a battle against the Russians, suffering gunpowder injuries to his eyes. He was held in custody for several months, and placed on trial by a military court. The Russian authorities decided to release him with minimal punishment, because he was still underage.

Boleslaw Prus suffered from agoraphobia throughout his life. He went on a tour of Europe in 1895, and had to spend two months recuperating from the shock of being surrounded by large crowds.

In 1904, Boleslaw Prus' adopted son, Emil Trembinski, committed suicide by firearm. He was only 17-years-old. His father survived him by 8 years.

Boleslaw Prus was reportedly survived by an illegitimate son, Jan Bogusz Sacewicz (1906-1944). Jan died in a German concentration camp during World War II.

While Boleslaw Pius was writing with serious intent, most of his notable works offer a humorous and witty description of their topics. The major exception was "Children" (1908), a humorless novel about the radical youth of his era: revolutionaries, terrorists and anarchists. It was poorly received and is still considered a lesser work.

In 1912, Boleslaw Prus had started work on a new novel called "Changes". His sudden death left the novel unfinished.