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Acquisition Information
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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