Gustaw Herling-Grudziński

ID: OS-004938-P/139779

Gustaw Herling-Grudziński

First name:

Gustaw

Last Name:

Herling-Grudziński

Parents:

Jakub Herling vel Grudziński i Dorota z Bryczkowskich

Date of birth:

20-05-1919

Place of birth:

Kielce

Date of death:

04-07-2000

Place od death:

Neapol

Age:

Profession:

journalist, writer, military

Honours and awards:

Order Orła Białego (1998), Order Virtuti Militari, Krzyż Pamiątkowy Monte Cassino

Biography:

Gustaw Herling-Grudziński (1919-2000), born in Kielce, son of Jakub Herling vel Grudziński and Dorota née Bryczkowska. He studied at the M. Rej Gymnasium in Kielce. He studied Polish philology at Warsaw University for two years. At that time, he wrote for the following periodicals: "Ateneum", "Pion", "Nowy Wyraz". In 1939, he co-founded the left-wing Polish People's Independence Action, which was one of the first domestic underground organisations. In 1940, he was arrested by the NKVD. He spent a period of two years in various camps. He joined the Anders Army and fought at Monte Casino. From 1945, he was in exile. He was a member of the Literary Institute and co-founded and edited the monthly magazine Kultura. In 1946, he joined the Polish Socialist Party. From 1952 to 1955, he worked for Radio Free Europe in Munich. From 1955, he lived in Naples. His work was subject to strict censorship in the People's Republic of Poland and was only better recognised in the country after the systemic changes of 1989.