Call Number:

Ms. Coll. 1256

Repository:

University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts

Extent:

0.4 linear feet (1 box)

Preferred Citation:

Juozas Prunskis letters of Lithuanian political and literary figures, 1941-1966, Ms. Coll. 1256, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania

Date:

1941-1966 (inclusive)

Creator:

Prunskis, Juozas

Form:

Correspondence

Abstract:

Juozas Prunskis (1907-2003) was a Lithuanian priest, journalist, and scholar. He was deeply involved in the cultural and political life of the Lithuanian community, writing and editing pieces for the Lithuanian daily, Draugas, and publishing articles about the Communist regime. This collection consists of correspondence from prominent Lithuanian political and literary figures.

Juozas Prunskis (1907-2003) was a Lithuanian priest, journalist, and scholar. He grew up in Utena, Lithuania and attended the Kaunas seminary at Vytautas Magnus University and was ordained as a priest in 1932. In 1940, he emigrated first to Germany, then to the United States where he earned a doctorate in canon law from the Catholic University of America in 1945.

Prunskis published articles and books in both Lithuanian and English about atrocities perpetrated by Communists and Nazis. He was involved in politics and cultural life and he wrote and edited pieces for the Lithuanian daily, Draugas. He founded and subsequently edited the paper's cultural supplement for over ten years, and also directed the paper's 30-minute radio broadcast from 1954 to 1959. Juozas Prunskis' involvement in the political and cultural life of the Lithuanian community and his prolific writing gave him reason to correspond with a number of prominent political and literary figures.

Prunskis lived modestly and used his money to support journalists, scientists, artists, and Catholic activists. He was a member of the Lithuanian Foundation and the Lithuanian Catholic Academy of Sciences. These organizations allocated funds to support scientific, social, religious, and journalistic endeavors. He was named an honorary member of the Lithuanian Writers' Society in 1982, an honorary patron of the World Lithuanian Youth Association in 1991, and an honorary citizen of Utena in 1997.

This collection consists of letters and other materials sent to Juozas Prunskis. Some letters appear to be addressed to him in his capacity as editor of Draugas, while others address him as Reverend or Doctor. The contents of the letters is generally unknown.

Prunskis corresponded with a number of prominent political and literary figures including historian and politician Mykolas Biržiška, lawyer and educator Vaclovas Biržiška, novelist Jurgis Jankus, writer Vincas Kreve, diplomat and author Jurgis Savickis, and diplomat, writer, and translator Antanas Vaiciulaitis.

This collection is organized alphabetically by last name and is in the original order in which it was received. The collection's processor does not read Lithuanian and has therefore relied heavily on extant transcriptions of names and translation software. Transcriptions and names may not always be accurate and researchers may need to spend more time examining a larger selection of the collection in order to find relevant materials.

Transcription of diacritics has occurred whenever possible. However, some diacritics in the Lithuanian language could not be transcribed and in these cases, the letters in the Roman alphabet appear without the diacritic.

Works referenced:

Juozas Prunskis

Prunskis Juozas – a priest, scholar, journalist prelate

The story of Ona Prunskis-Garunas