Maria Celina Dzielska (née Dąbrowska, 18 September 1942 – 30 July 2018) was a Polish classical philologist, historian, translator, biographer of Hypatia and political activist. She was a Professor of Ancient Roman History at Jagiellonian University.[1]

Prof.
Maria Celina Dzielska
Born
Maria Celina Dąbrowska

(1942-09-18)18 September 1942
Kraków, Poland
Died30 July 2018(2018-07-30) (aged 75)
Kraków, Poland
Occupations
  • Philologist
  • historian
  • translator
  • political activist
SpouseMirosław Dzielski
ChildrenWitold Dzielski
AwardsOrder of the White Eagle
Academic background
Alma materUniversity of Łódź
Thesis (1972)
Academic work
Institutions
  • Jagiellonian University

Education and career

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Dzielska was born in Kraków on 18 September 1942. She earned degrees in history from the Jagiellonian University and in classical philology from the University of Łódź, completing her Ph.D. in 1972 and her habilitation in 1984. She was promoted to full professor at Jagiellonian University in 1996.[1]

She translated the work of Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite. She is one of the most translated Polish historians of all time.[2] Her book Hypatia of Alexandria, published in the USA in 1995 by the University of Harvard, was translated into 8 languages and named the best academic book of the year in the category 'Philosophy' by Choice Magazine as well as, the best history book of 1995 by American History Book Club.

She was posthumously awarded by the President of the Republic of Poland with the Order of the White Eagle in recognition of her outstanding services in popularizing cultural heritage and historical knowledge, for outstanding achievements in scientific and research work, and for public activity.[3] A year later, she was also awarded the Cross of Freedom and Solidarity for merits in activities for the independence and sovereignty of Poland and respect for human rights in the Polish People's Republic.[4]

Private life

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Dzielska married Mirosław Dzielski, a leader of the 1980s anti-communist movement in Poland, and campaigned with him against communism.[1] She was mother to Witold Dzielski.[5]

Recognition

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Dzielska was a member of the Polish Academy of Sciences and the Polish Academy of Learning.[1] Upon her death she was given a state funeral at which Polish president Andrzej Duda awarded her the Order of the White Eagle.[6]

Selected publications

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  • Apollonius of Tyana in Legend and History (translated into English by Piotr Pieńkowski; Rome: l'Erma di Bretschneider, 1986)[7]
  • Hypatia of Alexandria (translated into English by F. Lyra; Cambridge: Harvard Univ. Press, 1995)[8]
  • Divine Men and Women in the History and Society of Late Hellenism (edited with Kamilla Twardowska, Jagiellonian University Press, 2013)[9]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Zmarła tragicznie prof. Maria Dzielska [Tragic death of Prof. Maria Dzielska] (in Polish), Fronda, 30 July 2018
  2. ^ Gazur, Łukasz (31 July 2018). "Nie żyje słynna badaczka starożytnego Rzymu - prof. Maria Dzielska". Dziennik Polski.
  3. ^ "Postanowienie Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej z dnia 3 sierpnia 2018 r. O nadaniu orderu".
  4. ^ "Postanowienie Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej z dnia 10 kwietnia 2019 r. O nadaniu odznaczeń".
  5. ^ Boruta, Mirosław (2018-11-14). "O etosie służby obywatelskiej. Pamięci Profesor Marii Dzielskiej". krakowniezalezny.pl (in Polish). Archived from the original on 2021-04-14. Retrieved 2022-05-20.
  6. ^ Kraków: prof. Maria Dzielska spoczęła na Cmentarzu Salwatorskim [Krakow: Prof. Maria Dzielska was buried in the Salwator Cemetery], Deon.pl, 6 August 2018
  7. ^ Reviews of Apollonius of Tyana in Legend and History:
  8. ^ Reviews of Hypatia of Alexandria:
  9. ^ Reviews of Divine Men and Women in the History and Society of Late Hellenism:
    • Lateiner, Donald (2015), "Review" (PDF), The Classical Journal, 15.03.07
    • Krulak, Todd C. (2015), "Review", Bryn Mawr Classical Review, 2015.10.10

Further reading

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  • Stanisław, Turlej; Kamilla, Twardowska; Maciej, Salamon; Sławomir, Sprawski; Michał, Stachura (2014), Within the circle of ancient ideas and virtues: Studies in honour of professor Maria Dzielska, Historia Iagellonica, Kraków: Towarzystwo Wydawnicze, ISBN 978-83-62261-87-1