Born: 4 March 1819, Poland
Died: 25 December 1878
Country most active: Poland
Also known as: Gabryella
The following bio was written by Emma Rosen, author of On This Day She Made History: 366 Days With Women Who Shaped the World and This Day In Human Ingenuity & Discovery: 366 Days of Scientific Milestones with Women in the Spotlight, and has been republished with permission.
Narcyza Żmichowska was a Polish novelist and poet and is considered a precursor of feminism in Poland. She debuted in the literary magazine Pierwiosnek (Primrose), edited by Paulina Krakowowa, and wrote regularly for other Polish magazines under Russian censorship, including Pielgrzym (edited by Eleonora Ziemięcka) and Przegląd Naukowy, where other women published as well. Żmichowska founded a group of Suffragettes in Warsaw called “Entuzjastki,” active from 1842 to 1849, who also participated in anti-Tsarist activities. She was arrested by the Russians in Lublin and sentenced to three years in prison in 1849 for her membership in the delegalized Związek Narodu Polskiego. Żmichowska’s first novel, published in 1846, was Poganka (The Heathen), which many see as an autobiographical story of her love interest in friend Paulina Zbyszewska. She also wrote Książka pamiątek (The Book of Mementos), Dwoiste życie (Double Life), Czy to powieść? (Is that a Novel?) and other novels and novellas. Żmichowska died in 1876.
The following is excerpted from “400 Outstanding Women of the World and the Costumology of Their Time” by Minna Moscherosch Schmidt, published in 1933.
Narcyza Zmichowska who wrote under the nom de plume “Gabryela,” was one of the outstanding women poets of Poland. She was born in Warsaw, in 1819 . Her work is distinguished by philosophic and didactic characteristics somewhat like those of Zygmunt Krasinski, one of the three greatest poets of the nineteenth century. She had burning faith in everything sublime and noble, and was deeply devoted to her nation. “By the word of God and with bread for all, Life’s richness on earth and a place ’mid the throng, With thoughts of our fathers, and forgiveness for faults, all shoulders to the wheel for the salvation of all.” This verse exemplified her creed. But the author realized that this happiness cannot be easily or quickly attained. She knew that the first consideration was the removal of all political and social inequalities and distinctions, and the enlightenment of all. She believed that all national policies lead nowhere unless they are understood and felt by every one. But, realizing the necessity of the unified thought of all people, she went even higher. No nation can exist and prosper, she said, unless it is a link in the chain of universal culture; it must take its place in the general progress of civilization. She felt that the world was not making progress in spite of the enthusiasm of a few high-minded geniuses, and her works breathe the sadness she felt. But her spirit remained unbroken, and she never expressed resignation — but always hope. Up to the time of her death, in 1876, Zmichowska labored continuously, and by the beauty of her thoughts and actions, awakened every one to the promise of a better future.