Chronology |
1878 Born 22 July in Warsaw as Henryk Goldszmit to Cecylia and Joseph Goldszmit. Father was a respected lawyer. 1896 First publication as a pupil in high school. Father dies in psychiatric clinic. 1898 Wins prize in a literary contest under the pseudonym Janusz Korczak the name he keeps for the rest of his life. 1894 - 1904 Studies medicine at the Children's Hospital in Warsaw. Starts to provide aid and care to street children in the poor district of Warsaw. After promotion to Doctor he works in the Children's hospital. 1904 - 1906 Conscripted as a military doctor in the Japanese Russian War. 1906 Returns to Warsaw. Finds fame as an author with the success of his book 'Child of the Salon'. 1906 - 1911 Continues his work as a doctor in the Children's Hospital. Medical students from all over Poland attend his popular lectures. Continues medical studies in Berlin, Paris and London, specialising in paediatrics. Becomes a highly respected doctor to the rich, to provide income to support his duties to the poor. 1911 Gives up a successful medical practice to become Principal of the new Jewish orphanage in Warsaw, built to his design. He puts his ideas on education and children's rights into practice with Stefa Wilczynska, who becomes his closest associate for the next 34 years. 1914 - 1918 World War I Conscripted as a Military doctor. 'How to Love a Child' is written and published. 1918 Returns to work at the orphanage. Sets up a Polish Catholic orphanage in Warsaw with Maryna Falska. 'When I am Little Again' and 'Alone with God' are published. 1922 Writes 'King Matt the First', his famous children's book. 1926 First publication of the popular weekly newspaper 'The Little Review' written and edited by children for children and distributed all over Poland. 1933 Awarded the prestigious Silver Cross of Poland for contributions to society. Travels to Palestine. Broadcasts weekly on the Polish State radio under the pseudonym 'The Old Doctor', giving advice on childcare. 1939 World War II 1940 The orphanage is forced by the Nazis to move to the Warsaw Ghetto. August 5th 1942 Refusing countless offers to save himself, he and his children are deported to the gas chambers of Treblinka. 1979 UNESCO declares 'The Year of the Child' should also be named 'The Year of Janusz Korczak' to mark the centenary of his birth. << Back to articles |
