Helena Modrzejewska (1840–1909)

Born on 12th October 1840 in Kraków, died on 8th April 1909 at Bay Island, in Newport Beach in California. Eminent Polish actress specialising in Shakespearian and tragic roles, Helena Modrzejewska (or Modjeska, as she came to be known in the English-speaking world) became a legend in her own lifetime, and the star of the Polish and American stages. Made history playing  Shakespearean roles while still in Poland including Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, Ophelia in Hamlet, Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing, and later also Rosalind in As You Like It, Lady Macbeth in Macbeth, Viola in Twelfth night, Cleopatra in Anthony and Cleopatra. Towards the end of her career, the actress performed in dramas by Stanisław Wyspiański, as Maria in Varsovian Anthem (Warszawianka) and Laodamia in Protesilas and Laodamia. Her repertoire covered approximately 260 roles. Once she had made her name in Kraków, she began to perform in Warsaw, and emigrated for California in 1876. The actress continued her acting career abroad as Helena Modjeska, Countess Bo(d)zenta, performing predominantly on the American and British stages. She won great acclaim and renown, mostly for her performances of Shakespearean repertoire. In 1883, she accepted American citizenship. Buried in Los Angeles, following the artist’s last will, Modjeska’s earthly remains were reburied next to her mother’s grave in Kraków’s Rakowicki Cemetery. The funerary ceremony in Poland turned into a patriotic manifestation.



Helena Modrzejewska, portrait by Józef Sebald, Kraków 1903