Robert Cyprian Vansword (Borski)
Linguist, author
Born Sept. 16, 1921, Przemysl, Poland; came to U.S., 1951; son of Andrzej Robaczynski and Maria (Rossowska); married Joellen (Vansword); children: Robert, Jan.
Education i.a.: Master of Arts (M.A.), 1941, Ph.D., 1944, University of Lwow (U.S.S.R.); Sigmund Institute in Mannheim (Germany), University of Paris (France). 1945-47; Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), City University of New York (CUNY), New York City, 1956; Doktor habilitowany (Dr.hab.), Polish University Abroad, London (United Kingdom), 1979.
Career: high school instructor, Darien (CT), Oneonta (NY), Davenport (NY), 1954-59; assistant prof., Ukrainian Technological Institute, New York City, 1959-60; instructor, Utica College, Syracuse University (NY), 1960-62; assistant prof., State University of New York (SUNY), Potsdam (NY), 1962-65; associate prof., Howard College, Birmingham (AL), 1965-67; associate prof., University of Alabama, Birmingham, 1965-78; manager, Alabama Export - Import Company, Birmingham, 1977-94; education advisor, Polish University Abroad, Chicago (IL), 1984-94.
Author, i.a.: The Introduction to the History of Polish Culture, Volume I, Until Year 1506, 1990; short stories, Biale i czerwone, 1962, and September '39, 1984; over 250 articles in Polish underground press (Poland), 1939-43; numerous articles in: Zew Mlodych, 1956-58, Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, 1960, Birmingham News, 1968, Perspectives, 1968.
Member of, i.a.: Club of German Poets, Mannheim; American Historical Association (AHA); American Association of Teachers of German; American Association of Teachers of Slavic and Eastern European Languages (AATSEEL); Polish Institute of Arts and Sciences of America (P.I.A.S.A.), 1970-80; Association for Advanced of Polish Studies (PA), 1967-85; president, United Polish American Cultural & Political Organizations in Birmingham; president, Polish Sociological Society, vice president, American Association of Citizens of Polish Origin, Hoover (AL).
Honors: grants, Kosciuszko Foundation, 1957, Paderewski Foundation, 1958, Polish Sociological Society, 1953, 1967, 1968, University of Alabama, 1968, 1969, American Academy of Psychotronics (honorary dean, 1983), 1984; honorary lieutenant colonel, Aide-de-Camp in the State Militia, Montgomery (AL), 1971.
Served with: Polish Army, September '39 Campaign; Polish Home Army, major, 1939-45; Polish Armed Forces in the West, sergeant - cadet - officer, 1945-48.
Affiliation: Independent. Roman Catholic.
Languages: 11 Slavic languages, French, Italian, Spanish, Latin, German, English, Swahili.
Hobbies: swimming, tennis, skiing.
From: "Who's Who in Polish America" 1st Edition 1996-1997, Boleslaw Wierzbianski editor; Bicentennial Publishing Corporation, New York, NY, 1996.