Within the Załuski Library circle. Bibliophilism of Kazimierz Chromiński

Abstract

The article presents Kazimierz Bronisz Chromiński (1759-1816), a nobleman, teacher, philologist, but first of all a bibliophile, a part of whose library has been preserved in the University of Warsaw Library. The author describes his education, professional activities (in Warsaw, Lublin, Wilno and Grodno periods) and interests, focusing mostly on his interest in the book, which effected in his engagement in bibliography and history of Polish literature. It is worth noting that Chromiński in the years 1787-1795 worked in the Załuski library and was responsible for collecting books in rural areas. Most likely, during his travels he also developed his private collection, which cost him a lot of sacrifices. Chromiński, regarding his poor financial status, owned a very large library. Within 37 years he gathered the book collection amounting to approximately 3000 volumes (in Wilno and Świsłocza), and unknown number in Lublin, where he left his library going to Wilno, where he accepted a position of a professor of world history, law and politics in a college. After his death the collection, according with his will, was passed to the Warsaw Lyceum. The author presents him as an important bibliophile of that time, but also she uses his figure as an example for a quite interesting thesis of ideological impact of the Załuski circle.