Stanislaus Andrew Blejwas (5 October 1941 – 23 September 2001) was an American historian specializing in modern Polish history.
Early life He was of Polish descent and born in Brooklyn, New York to Stanisław and Catherine (Komorowski) Blejwas. He received a B.A., summa cum laude, in 1963 from Providence College, and the M.A. (1966) and Ph.D. (1973) from Columbia University."Blejwas, Stanislaus Andrew," in Who's Who in Polish America. Ed. Bolesław Wierzbiański. New York: Bicentennial Publishing Corp., 1996, 35.
Career Starting in 1974, Blejwas spent most of his career researching and teaching at Central Connecticut State University. in 1979, he was promoted to associate professor at CCSU.
In 1987, at CCSU he held the Endowed Chair in Polish and Polish American Studies that was later named after him.
In 1989, he elevated to university professor at CCSU.
In 1996 Blejwas received the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland.
Personal life Blejwas was married to Lucy for 35 years, and together they had two children, Andrzej and Carol.
Death Blejwas died suddenly on September 23, 2001, at his home in Canton, Connecticut, at the age of 59.
Awards
1974 - Kościuszko Foundation Doctoral Dissertation Award Grant from the Connecticut Humanities Council 1982 - NEH (National Endowment for the Humanities) fellowship Mieczysław Haiman Medal of the Polish American Historical Association for contributions to the field Grant from the Kościuszko Foundation and Polish Ministry of Education for research at the Polish State Archives and Polish Foreign Ministry Archives Distinguished service award from the Polish American Historical Association Appointed president of the Polish American Historical Association in 2001
Holocaust Memorial Work
June 1994 - President Clinton appointed him to the United States Holocaust Memorial Council Served on the council's Research Committee Re-appointed to a second term by President Clinton in 1999
References
External links Obituary, Published in The Hartford Courant from Sept. 25 to Sept. 26, 2001