Aleksander Krawczuk

Aleksander Włodzimierz Krawczuk (born June 7, 1922, in Krakow, ) was a Polish historian of antiquity, essayist, academic teacher, professor of humanities, Minister of Culture and Art from 1986 to 1989, member of the Sejm (Polish parliament) during its first and second terms. he also lectured at the Higher School of Pedagogy in Rzeszów. From 1980 to 1986, he headed the Department of Ancient History at the Jagiellonian University. In 1985, he received a professorship in the humanities.

He studied ancient history and popularized topics related to antiquity. He co-hosted the television documentary series Antyczny świat profesora Krawczuka (Professor Krawczuk's Ancient World). He published numerous scientific works and popular science books, which were translated into several languages. He was a member of the Polish Writers' Union (1971–2003) and served as president of its Krakow branch from 1986 to 1987. He was also president of the Krakow branch of the Polish Culture Foundation and a member of the Polish Authors' Association.

From 1986 to 1989, he was a member of the National Grunwald Committee. During the same period, he served as Ministry of Culture and National Heritage in the governments of Zbigniew Messner and Mieczysław Rakowski. From 1991 to 1997, he was a member of the Sejm (Polish Parliament) for the first and second terms on behalf of the Democratic Left Alliance. In later years, he was counted among the supporters of the Przyjazny Kraków (Friendly Krakow) association associated with Jacek Majchrowski.

On the occasion of his 100th birthday in June 2022, the Historical Museum of the City of Krakow organized an exhibition entitled “Aleksander Krawczuk, One Hundred Years...” at the Krzysztofory Palace.

Krawczuk died on 27 January 2023, at the age of 100. He was buried in Rakowicki Cemetery.

Personal life

Son of Dymitr and Maria. He was the father of historian Wojciech Krawczuk.

Awards and distinctions

Grand Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta (1997, awarded by President of Poland Aleksander Kwaśniewski in recognition of outstanding contributions to national culture) Gold Medal for Merit to Culture – Gloria Artis (2009) City of Kraków Award(1972) Kowadło Kuźnicy (2013)

Publications

Kolonizacja sullańska, Ossolineum, Wrocław 1960 Gajusz Juliusz Cezar, Ossolineum, Wrocław 1962 Cesarz August, Ossolineum, Wrocław 1964 Neron, Czytelnik, Warszawa 1965 Herod, król Judei, Wiedza Powszechna, Warszawa 1965 Perykles i Aspazja, Ossolineum, Wrocław 1967 Siedmiu przeciw Tebom, PIW, Warszawa 1968 Sprawa Alkibiadesa, Czytelnik, Warszawa 1968 Kleopatra, Ossolineum, Wrocław 1969 Wojna trojańska: Mit i historia, Wiedza Powszechna, Warszawa 1969 Konstantyn Wielki, Wiedza Powszechna, Warszawa 1970 Pan i jego filozof. Rzecz o Platonie, PIW, Warszawa 1970 Ród Konstantyna, Wiedza Powszechna, Warszawa 1972 Sennik Artemidora, Ossolineum, Wrocław 1972 Tytus i Berenika, Czytelnik, Warszawa 1972 Julian Apostata, Wiedza Powszechna, Warszawa 1974 Rzym i Jerozolima, Czytelnik, Warszawa 1974 Mity, mędrcy, polityka, PIW, Warszawa 1975 Maraton, Wiedza Powszechna, Warszawa 1976 Ostatnia olimpiada, Ossolineum, Wrocław 1976 Upadek Rzymu. Księga wojen, Ossolineum, Wrocław 1978 Starożytność odległa i bliska, "Pax”, Warszawa 1980 Mitologia starożytnej Italii, Wydawnictwa Artystyczne i Filmowe, Warszawa 1982 Ród Argeadów, Wyd. Literackie, Kraków 1982 Stąd do starożytności, Wydawnictwa Radia i Telewizji, Warszawa 1985 Poczet cesarzy rzymskich, Iskry, Warszawa 1986 Opowieści o zmarłych. Cmentarz Rakowicki, KAW, Kraków 1987 Groby Cheronei, Wyd. Poznańskie, Poznań 1988 Alfabet Krawczuka mitologiczny, "Cracovia”, Kraków 1991 Rzymianki, Polczek, Kraków 1992 Poczet cesarzy bizantyjskich, Iskry, Warszawa 1992 Kronika starożytnego Rzymu, Iskry, Warszawa 1994 Kronika Rzymu i Cesarstwa Rzymskiego, Iskry, Warszawa 1997 Poczet cesarzowych Rzymu, Iskry, Warszawa 1998 Rzym, Kościół, cesarze, Iskry, Warszawa 2000 Polska za Nerona, Iskry, Warszawa 2002 Spotkania z Petroniuszem, Iskry, Warszawa 2005