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Poznanski (Karol) papers
95014  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Access
  • Use
  • Acquisition Information
  • Preferred Citation
  • Alternative Form Available
  • Biographical Note
  • Scope and Content Note

  • Title: Karol Poznanski papers
    Date (inclusive): 1918-1975
    Collection Number: 95014
    Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Library and Archives
    Language of Material: Mainly in Polish
    Physical Description: 9 manuscript boxes (3.6 Linear Feet)
    Abstract: Correspondence, diary, speeches and writings, memoranda, reports, printed matter, and photographs, relating to Polish foreign relations, especially with France and Great Britain, during the interwar period, and to Allied diplomacy and the Polish government in exile during World War II.
    Creator: Poznański, Karol, 1893-1972
    Physical Location: Hoover Institution Library & Archives

    Access

    The collection is open for research; materials must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual or digital media material in the collection, they must be reformatted before providing access.

    Use

    For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

    Acquisition Information

    Materials were acquired by the Hoover Institution Library & Archives in 1995.

    Preferred Citation

    [Identification of item], Karol Poznanski papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

    Alternative Form Available

    Also available on microfilm (11 reels).

    Biographical Note

    1893 Born, Warsaw
    1913-1919 Studied law in Paris as well as in Geneva and Fribourg in Switzerland
    1919 Clerk, Consular Department, Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
      Adviser, Polish Legation, Bern, Switzerland
    1920 Volunteer in Polish-Russo War
    1920-1921 Expert and Secretary of the delegation to negotiate peace with Soviet Russia, Riga, Latvia
    1921 Consular negotiator with Latvia, Estonia and Finland
    1922-1927 Chief, Consular Department, Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Warsaw
    1922 Member, Polish delegation to negotiate with Germany on Upper Silesia
    1922-1923 Expert in Polish-Czechoslovak and Polish-Turkish negotiations
    1924 Reporter on Polish consular law
    1925 Plenipotentiary delegate to negotiate the Treaty of Friendship and Commerce between Poland and Turkey, Lausanne, Switzerland
    1927-1934 Consul General, Paris
    1929 Delegate to the League of Nations Conference on Ethnic Minorities
    1930-1933 Lecturer on Polish consular law, Warsaw
    1934-1945 Consul General, London
    1943-1945 Deputy director and director, Diplomatic-Consular Course, London
    1943-1950 Expert in inheritance law
    1945-1947 Section head, Interim Treasury Committee for Polish Question
    1945-1970 Chairman, Polish Citizens Committee for Refugees
    1947-1970 Consultant in Polish and international law, London
    1950-1952 Lecturer on comparative consular law and diplomatic service, London
    1971 Died, London

    Scope and Content Note

    Karol Poznanski, diplomat, consul general, teacher, writer and émigré activist was born in partitioned Poland and spent most of his life working abroad in the Polish diplomatic service. Educated as a lawyer, he made a significant contribution to the restoration of Poland's consular network. Being only in his early 30s he became Poland's top expert in international negotiations. He served in the capacity of secretary, legal and plenipotentiary delegate of various Polish delegations, and signed agreements with other countries.
    Most of Poznanski's life was spent in Great Britain, where he was appointed Consul General in London in 1934. He remained in this position until 1945, when the British withdrew recognition of the government he represented. Thereafter he kept himself busy in the Polish émigré circles where he provided legal assistance and volunteered in many organizations (some of which he created) such as the former Foreign Service officials, refugees, cultural and professional associations. He also performed the functions of administrator of estates, notary public, translator, and judge.
    The various series in this collection reflect the different stages of Poznanski's life, mainly the time he spent in Great Britain. This is true especially of the correspondence series, covering to a small degree the 1930s, as well as late 1960s and early 1970s. The same is true with the subject series. Of particular importance is the conventions and treaties series, which illustrates the significant input Poznanski made in the diplomatic arena. The photographs portray individuals and events of Poland's inter-war diplomatic history.
    This collection was acquired by the Hoover Institution in 1995.

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    Poland -- Foreign relations
    Diplomats -- Poland
    World War, 1939-1945 -- Diplomatic history
    World War, 1939-1945 -- Poland
    World War, 1939-1945 -- Governments in exile
    France -- Foreign relations -- Poland
    Poland -- Foreign relations -- France
    Great Britain -- Foreign relations -- Poland
    Poland -- Foreign relations -- Great Britain