Autorytet księcia Adama Jerzego Czartoryskiego w teatrze opinii między 1834 a 1861 rokiem
Prince Adam Jerzy Czartoryski as an Authority Figure in the Marketplace of Ideas in the Period Between 1834 and 1861

Summary/Abstract: The public life of Adam Jerzy Czartoryski serves as a compelling illustration of the challenges power and authority pose as the characteristic of the partition era, particularly in the context of exile. The tumultuous fluctuations in his reputation vividly illustrate the difficulties with earning and maintaining public trust during that period, as well as how easily one’s standing in the eyes of the public could be compromised. It is important to note that leadership in exile had no formal legal recognition; it merely rested on the acknowledgment of one’s stature. During his time in exile, Prince Adam Jerzy Czartoryski garnered a wide range of inconsistent opinions, from being labeled as the “enemy of the emigration” in 1834 to being regarded as a de facto king in 1839. These shifting perceptions did not hinder the reverence shown for Czartoryski after his passing in 1861. However, it is crucial to understand that this reverence was not necessarily a result of a balanced assessment of his actions and achievements, but rather a response to the prevailing circumstances. The mourning ceremonies following his death served as a pretext for patriotic and religious gatherings, which were organized periodically, often leveraging historical anniversaries and funerals for this purpose. Each of the three public image proposals discussed here had its own unique dramaturgy, forming distinct networks of relationships. An examination of these three significant moments in the prince’s public life underscores the discontinuous and often excessive nature of Polish public life during the partition period. It also reveals the intricate involvement of public life in the dynamics of propaganda and diplomatic warfare, largely fought on paper but often marked by dirty tactics and ruthlessness.

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