Handwritten memoirs of Duchess Maria Oginska

Abstract

The article presents the handwritten diaries of Duchess Maria Ogińska. The diarist, the wife of Prince Michał Ogiński, has not been included in any biographical notes. The diaries, kept in the Raczyński Library in Poznan, have not yet been analysed by researchers. The memories of M. Ogińska fit into the trend of memoirs preserving daily life, social, economic and cultural activities. Chronologically the diaries present mainly events from the second half of the nineteenth century in Poland and in Europe. They constitute an interesting source regarding Polish-Lithuanian relations, Polescontacts in the country and foreign land, as well as the aristocracy and the monarchs of other countries. They evidence actions taken for the preservation of national identity during the partitions of the country. Excerpts of the diaries, which are being prepared for publication in extenso, are presented for the fi rst time in the article.