GERARD LABUDA (1916-2010) (Gerard Labuda (1916-2010))

The article is devoted to Prof. Gerard Labuda, an outstanding historian, who passed away in October 2010. He was an excellent expert on the history of the Slavs and Poland, as well as on Polish-German relations, a scholar who combined the enormous knowledge of a medievalist with interest in the present. The author refers to the impressive bibliography of Prof. Labuda's works published within the span of seventy years of his scientific activity, and distinguishes the following thematic blocks: studies on Slav antiquities and early medieval history of Western Slavdom, the origins and early history of the Polish state and the Church in Poland, Polish-German relations and the history of Germany, problems of European medieval history, and also the history of his native Kashubia. The author brings out the thread of reflection on methodology, historiography, study of source texts and general issues of the history of culture that runs through Prof. Labuda's publications. Attention is also drawn to Prof. Labuda's dedication to such areas of activity as teaching, editorship and organization and propagation of science.