Commemorating the November Uprising, 29 November 1830 - Poland

The Hull Literary Association of the Friends of Poland

The Literary Association of the Friends of Poland is a British organisation of solidarity with Poles, founded in Feb 1832 in the United Kingdom by the Scottish poet, Thomas Campbell and German lawyer, Adolphus Bach. The main purpose of goal of the Society was to sustain the interest of British public opinion in the Polish question after the failure of the November Uprising [Nov 1830-Oct 1831] which began on 29 November 1830.

Its members included many influential British political figures, such as Sir Francis Burnett [a reformist politician], Patrick Stuart [Whig MP for Lancaster] and Daniel O’Connell [The Liberator]. There were a number of regional associations created in 1832 to support the main association in London – one of these being the Hull Literary Association of the Friends of Poland.

When news of the anti-Russian uprising in the Kingdom of Poland reached London in late December 1830, most of the British population had no knowledge of the political situation in ”Congress Poland”, let alone the history behind it. Despite near universal sympathy for the liberal principles behind the Polish rebellion, it took some time for the British society to gain a deeper understanding of the struggle.

Although the uprising itself lasted only ten months, the Russian Army having quelled it by October 1831, British interest in Poland continued. Polish exiles and British friends of Poland sought to foster on-going interests in the 1830s and 1840s by spreading knowledge about Polish history, culture and political demands.

The Hull Literary Polish Record [L.052.075], the newsletter of the Hull Literary Association of the Friends of Poland [see photo 1] was one of the mediums used to promote Poland – others forms included public meetings, publications and newspaper articles. The initial wave of British sympathy for Poland was great – so much so that Leonard Niedwiecki, one of the Polish exiles who arrived in Britain after the defeat of the November Uprising, noted in mid 1833 – “In London everything Polish is adored”.

Photo 1 - The Hull Literary Polish Record [L.052.075]

However, at the same time, all that championing and pro-Polish propaganda did not result in any official support for the cause of Poland. The Polish Question, in spite of its popularity, remained on the margins of British politics. Poland was regarded as a distant land divided between Russia, Prussia and Austria. British politicians were mindful that, despite occasional differences, all three powers were ready to defend any attempts to restore Polish Independence.

The internal situation within Britain also played an important part – the economic hardships of the “hungry forties” made the British public more interested in home affairs. The previous support for the Polish exiles in Britain started to decline and indeed face criticism. The Times newspaper on 11 November 1843 published a letter which stated “For Liberalism’s sake, have our own distressed countrymen no claim on a “Liberal’s” sympathy? Let the Poles seek relief in Poland, or wherever they can get it but not in England”.

This waning in interest is demonstrated by the Hull Literary Association of the Friends of Poland [Aug 1832-Jan 1835].  It would appear that this Association only existed between 1832 and 1835. 

Photos 2 and 3 - Honorary Consul of the Republic of Poland, Hull

However, it is evident today that that Hull does still have strong ties with Poland with lots of Polish shops, bakeries and restaurants being prevalent.  There is also a branch of the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Poland [see photos 2 & 3] in Hull which was opened in May 2019 at the University of Hull which also houses a Polish Community Centre. As a regular of my local Polish Bakery, I am happy to see the connection flourish!

Caoimhe West, Reader Assistant, Unlocking the Treasures Project