Juliusz Słowacki was one of the most famous Polish poets of the 19th century. Other great poets were Adam Mickiewicz and Cyprian Kamil Norwid. Juliusz Słowacki was born in 1809 in Krzemieniec. His father was a professor of literature. He taught him much. When his father died, his mother, Salomea Bècu, brought him up. Juliusz Słowacki studied in Wilno. Later he went to Paris. He had to emigrate after the November Insurrection. He travelled much. He was in Italy, Greece, Egypt and Palestine. He wanted to return to Poland during the Uprising in Wielkopolska in 1848. But he died. He is buried in the Cathedral of the Wawel's Castle. He lies near Adam Mickiewicz who did not like him and criticised him very much.
He was a romantic. He very often wrote about the Polish history. He wrote many dramas, for example: Kordian, Balladyna, Maria Stuart, Książę Niezłomny, Beniowski. He also wrote poetry: Podróz do ziemi świętej, Ojciec zadżumionych, Genezis z ducha. He wrote a poem Słowiański papież. John Paul II - who became the first Slavic Pope - often quoted this poem. J. Słowacki was also a philosopher.
The works of Julisz Słowacki are very important part of the Polish literature. He was a really great writer.
