Prof. Marian Ursel passed away
With deep sadness we inform you that prof. dr hab. Marian Ursel passed away on 6 April 2026. He was an outstanding scholar and an editor of Polish romantic literature, an excellent teacher and educator of many generations of Polish philologists (1950-2026).
In the rich legacy that Professor Ursel left behind, a special place is held by the works about Aleksander Fredro: Bajkopisarstwo Aleksandra Fredry (1980); O wierszach Aleksandra Fredry (1992); Fredrowskie teatralizacje. Studia i szkice (1994); Aleksander Fredro. Na scenie życia i teatru (2009). In the National Library series he published Wybór komedii Aleksandra Fredry, as well as editions of other Fredro’s works and releases of romantic works meant for educational purposes, such as poetry novels of Juliusz Słowacki. In the years 2012-2016 he was in chargé of the Works of Aleksander Fredro grant. In prof. Ursel’s legacy there are anthropological reflections: Romantics and surroundings of death (2011) and various discourses about Polish romanticism.
In the years 2008-2020 prof. Marian Ursel was in charge of the Department of the History of Romantic Literature in the UWr Institute of Polish Studies. From 2002 he was a member of the Wrocław Scientific Society. Since 2011 he was the president of the Society of Friends of Polish Studies. In years 2000-2019 he was an editor of „Prace Literackie” magazine. In 2015-2020 he was a rector at the Karkonosze State University of Applied Sciences.
He will stay in our memory not only as a deserving humanities scholar but also – and most importantly – as a kind and good man with a particular way of being, full of unique charm.
The funeral service will take place on Saturday, 11 April at 9.10 am at Osobowicki Cemetery in Wrocław.
We express our deepest condolences to the Professor’s family.
Translated by Julia Siwiec (student of English Studies at the University of Wrocław) as part of the translation practice.
Date of publication: 08.04.2026
Added by: EJK
