Salons and Scientific-Literary Meetings Organized by Warsaw Lawyers in the Second Half of the 19th Century: Their Social and Cultural Role

Abstract

In the 19^th century, scientific-literary and artistic salons have already had a long tradition in Polish culture. Since they derived from the French model, they were usually organized by aristocrats. In the second half of the 19^th century, Polish intelligentsia, including lawyers, organized similar meetings, which led to a social intermingling of their profession. They regularly met in the private houses of Warsaw lawyers, such as Edward Leo (1828–1901), Aleksander Kraushar (1843–1931), Lucjan Wrotkowski (1847–1902) and Adolf Suligowski (1849–1932). Professional as well as scientific, literary and artistic issues were discussed at the meetings. Newly published Polish and foreign books were presented, fragments of texts were read and discussed, which propagated book culture in the circles of Warsaw lawyers.