Founders

professor EDMUND CIEŚLAK

He was born in Torun. He graduated from middle school in 1939. During the occupation (II WW) he worked as a laborer. Temporarily imprisoned, deported to work in Germany. After the war he went to France, where he graduated in Polish high school. He completed two years of study (law and history) at the University of Lille. He graduated after returning to the Poland, at the University of Torun. He took teaching job in the University as an assistant, after obtaining his doctorate - as an assistant professor. Parallel undertook research work in the Institute of History Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN).
In 1955, on behalf of the Academy he went to Gdansk, where he worked as an organizer and head of the Department of History of Pomerania PAN. He held this function until retirement (1993).

He worked didactically in Gdansk Teacher Education School (2 years as a dean of the Faculty of Humanities), and later led lectures and seminars at the University of Gdansk. He has supervised 54 masters and several doctors.

For one year he ran lectures at the Ecole Pratique des Hautes Studes in Paris. He conducted his own research, participated in the scientific sessions - many times as a lecturer - in many countries in Europe and beyond.
Member a lot of scientific societies, including the Polish Academy of Sciences, the Committee of Historical Sciences PAN, the Economic Commission for KNH PAN, the Swedish Historical Commission, etc. The editor of numerous publications, including the five-volume History of Gdansk. His own scientific achievements are a dozen books and more than 300 treatises, articles and reviews. Fluency in French and German. Awards of the Scientific Secretary of the Polish Academy of Sciences, the Presidents and the Governor of Gdansk. Knight's Cross and Officer's Cross. Winner of Jan Hevelius Award and numerous badges. He is also honored the Honoris Causa degree of the University of Gdansk.
He died on 19 September 2007 year.

Dr. HALINA CIEŚLAK

She was repatriate from Volyn (former east Poland, now the Ukraine). She graduated from Humanities high school in Olsztyn and studies of pedagogy at the University of Torun. In the third year of studies took a job as an assistant at the university, and after her master's degree - as a senior assistant.

Since 1955 she worked didactically in Gdansk Teacher Education School as a professor assistant. After doctorate she conducted lectures and seminars. She promoted several masters. She received the prize of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education and Rector's Awards. She was awarded the Silver and Gold Cross of Merit, Order of Polonia Restituta and honorary badges of Gdansk.