Adam Mickiewicz and his eagerness to serve the Jagiellonian University

When Michał Wiszniewski, the professor not only of history, but also of history of Polish and world literature, left Cracow on 16th April 1848, the authorities of the Jagiellonian University had to solve the problem of fi nding a worthy successor for the history of literature department, who would also be able to give lectures in the field of Polish history and literature studies. In the academic circles of Cracow one of the most adequate candidates was considered to be Adam Mickiewicz, who on 4th January 1849 sent his fi rm declaration to the rector Józef Majer, stating that he would eagerly serve the Jagiellonian School and educate Polish students. The declaration however appeared to be insuffi cient for securing him the position of Polish literature professor at the University, as it was to be decided by the Austrian Ministerium des Cultus und des Unterrichtes, and the nomination was to be given by Franz Joseph I himself. Among those who did not support Mickiewicz for the position at the University was governor Wacław Zaleski.