John Merchant

My dissertation examines the impact of Irish-Ireland as a cultural movement on its Polish counterpart, Young Poland, during the years 1890-1918. In particular, my project focuses on the extent to which the formation of a distinct Polish cultural-identity during this period of vital cultural activity was strengthened by the importation of Irish poetry, drama, and cultural politics. The nature of this Irish-Polish relationship is important, because it not only involved leading intellectuals of Young Poland such as Zenon Przesmycki, Adolf Nowaczynski, Jan Kasprowicz, and Tadeusz Pawlikowski, but it also mirrored the evolution of Young Poland as a cultural movement. Polish interest in Ireland was early and remained consistent until Poland achieved independence following World War I.