Bolesław Prus – nie tylko prozaik. Sylwetka filantropa
Bolesław Prus – not only a prose writer. The silhouette of a philanthropist

Summary/Abstract: This article focuses on Bolesław Prus, the preeminent writer of the age of positivism. It highlights a less known aspect of his biography, namely his interest in charity activity. This aspect is usually treated as a secondary issue. The related theory of society and progress created by Prus is mentioned even less so, just like his views on education and the promotion of culture, or the role of art in the life of the nation. The collected material, i.e. fragments of the writer’s correspondence, journalistic statements, as well as the examples cited, proves Prus’s personal involvement in philanthropic works (activity within societies, supporting projects in aid of needy people, popularizing the noble ideas of helping the weak), and shows the commitment of Prus to social issues. His activity in this area is illustrated in the article based on the example of Warsaw, as well as Lublin and its surroundings. In both places, Prus was remembered as a man who sincerely supported initiatives serving the people who required material or medical help. He cordially treated everyone who was ready to provide this help in the difficult conditions of the Russian Partition at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.

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