Józef Muczkowski : director of the Jagiellonian Library, collector, historian

Dostęp do publikacji jest możliwy w Archiwum UJ

The purpose of the presented thesis is to show a figure of one of the directors of the Jagiellonian Library in the 19th century, a professor at the Jagiellonian University, and also a collector and historian - Józef Muczkowski. In the thesis there is presented whole Professor’s personal life in chronological order as well as his achievements in his professional field and his scientific achievements. The thesis consists of eight chapters, each dealing with issues related to individual stages of his life. Special attention is driven to the process of intellectual and scientific development of Józef Muczkowski from birth, through youth to the period of holding office of the director of the Jagiellonian Library and finally up to the last days of his life. Large part of the work is devoted to changes that were implemented by the Professor during the period when he was the Jagiellonian Library director. It concerns, among others, an organization of library collections and complete reconstruction of the Library building which is located in the Collegium Maius building. The thesis also introduces a broad spectrum of activities undertaken by the Professor in the political field. Presentation of profiles of his loved ones and relationships that connected him with his family and other people of science is important part of the work, because it connects all chapters with each other. The thesis is based largely on unpublished sources, such as archives and manuscripts. It contains numerous fragments of editing official letters and Professor's correspondence. Analysis and interpretation of many types of information sources, followed by their elaboration and organization allow to fill the "information gap" regarding the person of Józef Muczkowski. As a result, by recreating the Józef Muczkowski professional path the thesis also supplements information resource of history of the Jagiellonian Library in the first half of the 19th century.