Józef Wittlin

Anna Frajlich-Zajac (Columbia University)
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Born on August 17, 1896, in Dmytrów, at the time Austro-Hungarian Galicia, Józef Wittlin lost his mother in childhood and his father in early youth. He attended a classical gymnasium in Lwów (Lviv) from 1906 to 1914. After graduating, he volunteered for the Eastern Polish Legion in August 1914. This unit was subsequently disbanded after refusing to take an oath to the Austrian government. Wittlin travelled to Vienna where he obtained a gymnasium diploma, and then studied philosophy at the University of Vienna. In 1916, together with his friend Joseph Roth, he enlisted in the Austrian army. Scarlet fever prevented him from participating in actual combat; instead, he served as a translator. In 1918, he returned to Lwów to witness a cruel, fratricidal war between Poles and Ukrainians.…

1331 words

Citation: Frajlich-Zajac, Anna. "Józef Wittlin". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 24 April 2016 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=13617, accessed 28 March 2024.]

13617 Józef Wittlin 1 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

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