Paul Lebiedzinski

Paul Lebiedzinski (17 August 1951 – 30 April 1995) was a Manx poet best known for his politically-charged poetry of the 1970s and 80s. He has been described as 'one of the finest poets the Island has produced in modern times.'

Childhood Lebiedzinski's father, Aleksander Lebiedzinski, came to the Isle of Man during World War II as a Flight Lieutenant in the Polish Air Force. He married Kathleen (née Dempsey) in February 1947, where they were living at the time of Paul Lebiedzinski's birth on 17 August 1951. at which point he moved with his mother to Forest View on Bowring Road, north Ramsey.

Lebiedzinski also took up politics, serving on the Ramsey Town Commissioners during 1976–9 and 1988–90.

Lebiedzinski's poetry has been characterised as frequently satirical and full of invective, reflecting his anger and sadness at the loss of the old Manx way of life. In 2020 the first ever book of Paul's poetry, Until the Manxmen are driven away: The selected poems of Paul Lebiedzinski, was published by Culture Vannin, which brought together poems from his recorded archive and the previously private manuscripts held by the poet's family.