In an exclusive interview for Polish Radio’s External Service, Alex Storozynski, an acclaimed  journalist and President of the Kosciuszko Foundation, has told Michal Kubicki that he managed to uncover many new things about Kosciuszko in his book.

 

At the launch of his The Peasant Prince: Thaddeus Kosciuszko and the Age of Revolution (published by St Martin’s Press) at the Polish Embassy in Washington, Storozynski said that even though there are many streets and bridges in the United States named after Kosciuszko, and a  monument to him close to the White House and even the ‘Kosciusko Mustard’, the Polish hero remains little known to the American public.

Asked about the reasons for this state of affairs, he said that Kosciuszko did not seek publicity and that during the communist period American historians had problems in getting access to Polish archives.

The book’s publisher, St. Martin’s Press, writes in its publicity material:
“Kosciuszko came to America one month after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, literally showing up on Benjamin Franklin’s doorstep in Philadelphia with little more than a revolutionary spirit and a genius for engineering. Entering the fray as a volunteer in the war effort, he quickly proved his capabilities and became the most talented engineer of the Continental Army.

Kosciuszko went on to construct the fortifications for Philadelphia, devise battle plans that were integral to the American victory at the pivotal Battle of Saratoga, and designed the plans for Fortress West Point, the same plans that were stolen by Benedict Arnold. Then, seeking new challenges, Kosciuszko asked for a transfer to the Southern Army, where he oversaw a ring of African-American spies.”

Click on the icon above to listen to the interview.