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The name Ignacy Domeyko is known to many Polish people as that of a nineteenth century explorer and scientist. However, the man was far more complex than that. Together with Adam Mickiewicz, he was a member of the patriotic societies of the Philomats and the Philarets at the University of Wilno. His friendship with the famous Polish poet lasted until the death of the same.
He fought against the Russians in the 1830-31 uprising, and was exiled to Paris. He was commissioned by the Government of Chile as a science teacher, but his imprint on that young country went far beyond that of a mere of the tenure. He explored Chile from north to south, finding many valuable mineral deposits.
He was the creator and head of Chile’s first teaching university, which he led for more than 30 years. He was a leader in defending human rights of the indigenous Indian population, the Araucanos. Two hundred years after his death, the Catholic Church of Chile has presented to the Holy See the cause for his beatification, due to his exemplary life as both devout Catholic, family man and educator.
The fascinating life of this unique individual has been related by his great-granddaughter, Paz Domeyko in her recently published book
“A Life in Exile. Ignacy Domeyko 1802-1889.” The historical introduction - to the previous Spanish and the current English edition - was prepared by Dr Waldemar Niemotko, President of the Australian International Research Institute (Sydney).
The book will be launched on Monday 22 August 2005 starting at 6.30 pm., in the National Library of Australia, Parkes Place, Parkes ACT 2600, under the auspices of the Embassies of Poland and of Chile.
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