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Waldo, Arthur Leonard

Editor, writer, lecturer and social worker. Born at Radom, Poland, Nov. 6, 1896. Graduated from Radom High School, June, 1913 and on Sept., 1913, arrived in America. Attended Business College, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.; a traveling reporter with the Polish weekly "Zorza" of Pittston, Pa.; made captain in the Polish Falcons Battle Forces in 1914. In 1917 joined the Polish Army in France and was trained in the Polish Army Officers Training School at Quentin, France. In 1919 left France and went to Poland where in 1920 he participated in the Polish-Bolshevik war. Upon returning to America resumed journalistic career. Between 1921 and 1932 wrote over 50 Polish plays for the Polish theatres in U.S. Best known are: "Those Americanized," in 4 acts; "Felix, the Millionaire," in 3 acts; "Her Murder for Freedom," in 4 acts; "King Ben," in 3 acts; "Condemned," in 3 acts; "The Arrival of Michalina," in 3 acts; etc. Among his other writings are: "The Outline of History of the Polish Literature in America." "The Polish Theatre in America," "Charm of the City of Kosciuszko, Miss.," "Mississippi by Automobile," "World War Short Stories," "To Poland," "Wardzinski, the Hero of Texas," and others.

In January, 1924 married Mrs. Stefania Eminowicz.

In 1928 entered the School of Journalism, University of Michigan. Among many social activities in 1933 he initiated the issuance of the General Kosciuszko Commemorative stamp by the U.S. Post Office. In 1939 appointed to the World League of Poles Abroad, Warsaw, Poland, to serve in the capacity of an advisor on Polish life in America and the Polish cultural needs in the United States. When German Polish war broke out joined the Polish Army in the rank of a first lieutenant of infantry. Returned to U.S. in March, 1940. In 1941 called by the U.S. Coordinator of Information in New York, N.Y., to organize a Polish desk of the Overseas Department. Decorations: Polish Distinguished Service Cross, Poland's Independence Cross, Polish Volhynian Campaign Cross, Polish American Volunteer Cross, Haller's Cross, French Commemorative Medal, French Victory Medal, Polish-Russian 1920 War Medal, Polish Falcons War Commemorative Medal and Veteran's Medal.

From: "Who's Who in Polish America" by Rev. Francis Bolek, Editor-in-Chief; Harbinger House, New York, 1943

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Editor's Notes:

Arthur L. Waldo (a.k.a. Leonard Stefanski) wrote several books including:

"Czyn Zbrojny Polonii Amerykanskiej w nowelkach i opowiadaniach wojskowych" in the Polish language
The Armed Effort of American Polonia in short stories and wartime tales
editor: Arthur L. Waldo 1938; Nakladem [publisher] "Dziennika Zjednoczenia" Chicago, Illinois

for summaries and some translations see...

He also wrote "The True Heroes of Jamestown" (on the dust jacket the title was inexplicably given as "Jamestown True Heroes") -- supposedly based on "A Merchant's Memoir," written in "old Polish" by Jamestown settler, Zbigniew Stefanski, one of the 1608 arrivals. The book was published by the Polish Institute of Polish Culture (Blanka Rosenstiel, pres.) in Miami, FL, 1977.

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