Encyclopedia of Jesuit Translation Culture in Poland-Lithuania, 1564–1820

Wydawnictwo Brill 2025

Redakcja: Mirosława Hanusiewicz-Lavallee, Robert Aleksander Maryks

Publikacja dostępna w Open Access na tej stronie.

The Encyclopedia of Jesuit Translation Culture in Poland–Lithuania, 1564–1820 covers a period marked by the Jesuits’ profound influence on the religious, cultural, and intellectual landscape of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The chronological span of the encyclopedia, from 1564 to 1820, reflects two key historical moments. The starting point, 1564, marks the arrival of the Jesuits in Poland–Lithuania, a moment that catalyzed the establishment of Jesuit institutions and missions, where translation activities were not just a part but the central focus of their educational and evangelization efforts. The endpoint, 1820, represents the final expulsion of the Jesuits from the Russian empire, which had absorbed large portions of the Commonwealth after the partition of Poland. Although the Society of Jesus had already been suppressed in 1773, Jesuit translations and intellectual work continued to shape the region’s culture well into the early nineteenth century, a testament to the Jesuits’ unwavering commitment.

Throughout this period, the Jesuits played a crucial role in translating religious texts, educational materials, classical works, and scientific treatises into local languages such as Polish, Lithuanian, and Ruthenian. These translations were not only tools for spreading Catholicism but also for promoting humanist education and scientific knowledge. By engaging with these texts, the Jesuits (and their collaborators) significantly shaped Poland-Lithuania's intellectual and spiritual life during a time of religious and political change.

The Encyclopedia is structured into two parts: a Macropedia, which offers 70 concise overviews of major translation trends, and a Micropedia, which provides detailed entries on individual translators (284) and most frequently translated authors (100), a total of 459 articles. This comprehensive approach offers readers both broad historical perspectives and focused analyses of specific figures and works, ensuring a thorough understanding of the scope and significance of Jesuit translation culture during this formative period in the history of Poland–Lithuania in its pan-European context.