Józef Muczkowski : director of the Jagiellonian Library, historian

Opublikowano z Funduszu Anny Łysiak i Lidii Procyk

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 historian - Józef Muczkowski. In the thesis, the Professor's personal life has been presented in chronological order, as well as his achievements in the professional field and his scientific accomplishments. The thesis consists of seven chapters, each dealing with issues related to the individual stages of the Professor's life. Special attention has been focused on the process of intellectual and scientific development of Józef Muczkowski from his 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, the organisation of library collections and complete reconstruction of the library building which is located within the Collegium Maius edifice. 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 constitutes important part of the work because it connects all chapters. The thesis is based largely on unpublished sources, such as manuscripts, numerous fragments of official letters and the Professor’s correspondence. Analysis and interpretation of many types of information sources, followed by their elaboration and organisation, allow to fill the "information gap" regarding the person of Józef Muczkowski. As a result, by recreating Józef Muczkowski's professional path, the thesis also supplements the information resource of history of the Jagiellonian Library in the first half of the 19th century.