Alfred Wielopolski was belonged to a close group of people involved in creation of the beginnings scientific and cultural life in Western Pomerania. In Szczecin, with which the final connected his life after World War II, he was known above all as a devoted lecturer, inquisitive archivist, selfless social worker and activist of most scientific societies and institutions. An interesting information is that, he performed a number of important state functions in during the interwar period – such as holding the deputy chief of Wieluń, managing the Civil Secretariat of the President of the Republic of Poland or acting as the director of the Senate Office. Because of his birth, he was belonged to the strict elite of the landed gentry. In addition to diaries, from this period of his activity remained family correspondence located in the team of the Myszkow ordination of the State Archives in Kielce. It is a very valuable and interesting addition to the above memories. Reading epistolary allows us to see, what worries accompanied the young aristocrat during his studies, studies, military service and work. The materials describe happy and sad moments, they do not hide youthful weaknesses to alcohol or tobacco. They also describe love, often complicated in these difficult Times. In most cases, young Alfred shared his insights with his father, asking him for tips and advice. Description of military service and work in the state administration apparatus allows the reader to see the image, that has gone forever. This article is an attempt to quote the main content of letters interested in this period.

Biographies of Polish rulers of the Piast dynasty: the historian’s handling of propaganda, myths, popularisation and academic facts

For centuries, biographies have invariably been an essential part of historiography. Every epoch, sometimes even every generation, has written its own ‘lives of famous men’, less frequently ‘women’. Among the numerous biographies, a prominent place is held by those relating to the Middle Ages. Among these, the lives of rulers come to the fore, where the ruler (prince, king, emperor) was among the key models. As for the title of this text, the first part of which is selfexplanatory, its subject includes broadly defined historical biographies concerning Polish rulers of the Piast dynasty. The subject therefore encompasses monographs, articles and entries in various lexicographical publications. The other part of the title is less obvious and requires some clarification as to what is meant by propaganda, myths, popularisation and academic facts. Despite various limitations, biographies are worth the effort, but princes like Mieszko Bolesławowic and Bezprym do not necessarily require biographies. In their case, all that is left is to show the broad background of the era, in which the ruler gets lost. In both cases, the source base is extremely fragile: barely a single reference (mainly Gallus Anonymous, infallible in such situations), insufficient to assemble a biography. It should be stressed that generally, there are few biographies of women: Piast dynasty women and wives of Piasts: Rycheza, Grzymisława, Kinga, Hedwig of Silesia and Elisabeth of Poland, Queen of Hungary have been covered.