Mikalojaus Akelaičio rankraščio Opisanie Wielkiego Księstwa Litewskiego (1862) istorija
The story of Mikalojus Akelaitis's manuscript Opisanie Wielkiego Księstwa Litewskiego (1862)

Summary/Abstract: Mikalojus Akelaitis (also Mikołaj Akielewicz, also Chłop z powiatu Maryampolskiego, also Chłop z Litwy, also Bartosz z Czoderyszek, also Agricola, also Cziuoderiszkiu Mikałojus, also Wargdienelis isz Lietuwos, also Wytautas, 1829–1887) is one of the most prominent and contradictory personalities of the 19th century. The contradiction stems from Akelaitis’s personal features as well as his way of life, which can be best described in two words: research and politics. Such features of Akelaitis were also noted by Augustinas Janulaitis (1878–1950), a historian and Akelaitis’s best-known biographer. At the same time in the eyes of his contemporaries the personality of Akelaitis was unique in that he emphasised his descent from peasants and his excellent command of Lithuanian. The latter could have determined Akelaitis’s research interests. His biographers have shown that until the end of 1861 when he left Lithuania most of his works had focused on the Lithuanian language, literature, folklore and mythology. His works on history during the period had been scarce.

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