It is with great sadness that we have learned of the death of Dr. Franciszek Lyra, a longtime lecturer of the American Studies Center of the University of Warsaw. He passed away on March 26, 2021 at a hospital in  Sokołów Podlaski.

Born in 1932, Dr. Franciszek Lyra specialized in the history of American literature. A graduate of the English Institute of the University of Warsaw, he completed his PhD in linguistics at Indiana University Bloomington.

He was the first Polish Fulbright grantee, in 1959. After he completed his PhD, he returned to Poland and, starting from 1962, helped establish the English Institute at the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin where he taught until 1969. He subsequently taught at the University of Warsaw, Institute of English Studies and the American Studies Center.

His research was focused on the history of American literature, the reception of American literature in Poland, and on literary connections between both countries. Dr. Lyra was an author of two books William Faulkner published by Wiedza Powszechna in 1966 and Edgar Allan Poe by the same press (1973) as well as a dozen articles published in Polish and American journals. In 2011 he was awarded the Distinguished International Service Award (2011) from Indiana University.

He founded the Polish chapter of the Indiana University Alumni and Friends Association at the University of Warsaw.

We wish to express our sincere condolences to Franciszek’s family and friends. We will sorely miss him.

Z głębokim smutkiem zawiadamiamy o śmierci dra. Franciszka Lyry, wieloletniego wykładowcy Ośrodka Studiów Amerykańskich UW, który zmarł 26 marca 2021 r. w Sokołowie Podlaskim.

Urodzony w 1932, dr Franciszek Lyra był amerykanistą literaturoznawcą. Ukończył studia w Instytucie Anglistyki Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego. Doktorat w dziedzinie językoznawstwa na temat dwujęzyczności obronił w Indiana University w Bloomington. Był pierwszym w historii polskim stypendystą programu stypendialnego Komisji Fulbrighta. Wyjechał do Stanów Zjednoczonych na stypendium w roku 1959. Po ukończeniu doktoratu wrócił do Polski i od 1962 roku pomagał w tworzeniu Instytutu Anglistyki na Uniwersytecie Marii Curie-Skłodowskiej w Lublinie, gdzie wykładał do roku 1969. Następnie przez wiele lat wykładał w Instytucie Anglistyki UW oraz w Ośrodku Studiów Amerykańskich UW.

Prowadził badania nad historią literatury amerykańskiej, polską recepcją literatury amerykańskiej oraz polsko-amerykańskimi stosunkami literackimi. Dr. Lyra jest autorem dwóch książek o literaturze amerykańskiej–William Faulkner (Wiedza Powszechna, 1966) oraz Edgar Allan Poe (Wiedza Powszechna, 1973), a także kilkunastu artykułów opublikowanych w Polsce oraz w Stanach Zjednoczonych. W 2011 roku został nagrodzony Distinguished International Service Award (2011) Indiana University.

Stworzył polski oddział Stowarzyszenia Absolwentów i Przyjaciół Indiana University na Uniwersytecie Warszawskim.

Składamy serdeczne wyrazy współczucia Rodzinie Franciszka i Jego bliskim. Będzie nam Go bardzo brakowało. Był dobrym duchem Osy!

American Studies Colloquium Series

May 29: Surveillance and AI in the Military (and Beyond)

May 21, 2025

We are pleased to invite you to the last lecture of the American Studies Colloquium Series in the 2025 Spring semester! This lecture focuses on the revelatory power of media technology, particularly AI and other new media innovations. Beginning with an analysis of contemporary military surveillance projects, the presentation looks at the role of drones and similar technologies in making new enemies visible.

Year 2024/2025

May 22: Bitburg, Ratification, and Implementation of the Genocide Convention by the US

May 16, 2025

We are pleased to invite you to a lecture by Professor Joe Delap from Athens State University, who will present a lecture titled “Bitburg, Ratification, and Implementation of the Genocide Convention by the US”. The presentation delves into the history of the US’s role in the Convention, discusses US-European dealings prompting Senate ratification, and concludes by looking at what difference, if any, US ratification has made in assessing, investigating, and prosecuting genocide in the International Criminal Court.

News

Psychological Support For The UW Community

May 16, 2025

In these difficult times, the University of Warsaw offers psychological support to all members of its community

Year 2024/2025

May 20: History with a Twist: Exploring Fantasy and Alternate Realities in My Lady Jane

May 14, 2025

Join us for a penultimate Weird meeting, a lecture by Nicole Bryjka (University of Warsaw) on fantasy and alternate history in television series My Lady Jane!

News

May 8 A Day of Mourning at UW

May 8, 2025

In light of today’s tragedy, the Rector has declared tomorrow, May 8th, a day of mourning for the University of Warsaw community, with no classes and no work. This tragedy is keenly felt by all members of the University of Warsaw community, faculty, administrative staff, and students alike. We all want the university to be a safe place and work hard every day to ensure that it is. It is incredibly difficult to have this hope challenged so severely.