Jan Brzechwa | |
---|---|
Jan Brzechwa
|
|
Born | Jan Wiktor Lesman 15 August 1898 Żmerynka, Podolia |
Died | 2 July 1966 Warsaw, Poland |
(aged 67)
Resting place | Powązki Cemetery |
Occupation | Poet |
Language | Polish |
Nationality | Polish |
Ethnicity | Jewish |
Notable works |
Tańcowała igła z nitką Akademia Pana Kleksa |
Jan Brzechwa (Polish pronunciation: [ˈbʐɛxfa]), (15 August 1898 – 2 July 1966) was a Polish poet and author, known mostly for his contribution to children's literature. He was born Jan Wiktor Lesman to a Polish family of Jewish descent.
Brzechwa was born in Żmerynka, Podolia. His father was a railway engineer and Jan spent a lot of his childhood travelling around Eastern Poland ("Kresy") with his family. Brzechwa studied at a Jesuit high school, Zakład Naukowo-Wychowawczy Ojców Jezuitów w Chyrowie (Scientific and Educational Department of the Jesuit Fathers in Chyrów), and upon moving from Podolia to Warsaw, he graduated from the School of Law at the Warsaw University. During the Polish-Soviet War, he volunteered for the 36th Regiment of the Academic Infantry Legion, a formation composed of university students and was decorated for his service. His formal writing debut took place in 1920 by way of various humor magazines. He worked as a lawyer and attorney for the Polish Society of Authors and Composers (ZAIKS) where he specialized and excelled in copyright law.
Brzechwa was a cousin of another famous Polish poet, Bolesław Leśmian. He was married twice and had a daughter, Krystyna, from his first marriage.
Jan Brzechwa was the writer's pseudonym. The name Brzechwa translates into 'fletching' (the tail section of an arrow). His poetry was written mostly in the melodic style of the 8-syllable accentual verse, the most popular rhythmic structure among the Polish stylistic variations.