Jan Krechowiecki (1805-1885) – Basilian Monastery School Student, Rebel, Historian

Abstract

Interest in regional studies in Ukraine is growing, and against this background, interest in the so-called “second plan” person is growing. At the same time, studies are appearing, the authors of which highlight, for example, the fate of “second plan” historians. These complementary studies, in our opinion, form a new paradigm of local history.

Filling the gaps, summarizing the information scattered in archival sources, taking into account episodic references to the “second plan” person, is one of the tasks of modern Ukrainian science.

This also appies to a study of the history of the Basilian Order and the fate of its school students, who undoubtedly played an important role in the cultural and social processes on the Ukrainian lands. The historiographical question does not allow us to claim that the biography of Jan Krechowiecki has been fully researched, and even this article will leave unresolved and debatable issues behind.

The article covers some aspects of Jan Krechowiecki’s life (1805-1885). He was the Uman Basilian School student and a friend of Seweryn Goszczyński and other representatives of the Ukrainian School in Polish literature. Jan Krechowiecki is an example of a right-bank nobleman, whose biography reflected all the key events in the history of Right-bank Ukraine. Those were the Polish 1830-1831 uprising, the persecution of the Russian authorities, “searching for his own way” after being exiled as an archivist in Prince Sanguszko’s estate, his controversial position regarding the Sich uprising, and his emigration. Attention is drawn to his close ties with the Uman Basilian circle and his participation in secret organizations.

Jan Krechowiei researched the history of the Basilian Order and Right Bank Ukraine. Part of his intellectual heritage was published in the 19^th century.