Michał Wojnicz – The Polish Antiquarian Behind a Mysterious Manuscript
Adam Węgłowski
To this day, researchers are captivated by the enigmatic manuscript unearthed in 1921 by Michał Wojnicz, a Polish antiquarian based in London. His life is as intriguing and cryptic as the manuscript itself, as noted by Adam Węgłowski.
On October 2, 1921, the Polish newspaper 'Rzeczpospolita’ reported the remarkable discovery of a manuscript attributed to Michał Wojnicz (Wilfrid Michael Voynich). This London antiquarian claimed the manuscript was the creation of the 13th-century Franciscan scholar Roger Bacon, a brilliant mind known for his extensive interests. Bacon, who ‘faced persecution from his contemporaries for being accused of sorcery and pest of the Church’, purportedly encrypted his findings on the cosmos and human anatomy. Yet, despite the efforts of French and English cryptographers that Wojnicz enlisted, the code has remained unbroken, even as the manuscript continues to attract the attention of an increasing array of scholars and enthusiasts.
A page from the mysterious Voynich manuscript, which is undecipherable to this day. https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki
Radiocarbon dating has established that the manuscript dates back to the 15th century, debunking numerous theories that it may have originated from the heretical Cathars, the Aztecs, or even the devout nun Hildegard of Bingen. Over the past century, a diverse group of cryptographers—including those who worked on codes during World War II—historians, botanists intrigued by the manuscript’s unusual plant illustrations, and mystery enthusiasts have grappled with its secrets. Some have even proposed the radical idea that the manuscript consists of nonsensical gibberish rather than coherent knowledge about herbs, astronomy, or feminine physiology. Today, this manuscript stands as a renowned artefact, frequently appearing in documentaries and adventure novels, while the life of Wilfrid Michael Voynich, overshadowed by his grand revelation in 1915 during a Chicago exhibition, remains shrouded in intrigue.
Revolutionist
Born in 1865 in Telsze, Samogitia, Michał ‘Wilfred’ Wojnicz of the Habdank coat of arms was a proud Pole. He completed his secondary education in Suwałki before pursuing pharmaceutical studies in Moscow. There, he encountered members of the People’s Will, a revolutionary group infamous for assassinating Tsar Alexander II in 1881. Enthralled by the revolutionary fervour, Wojnicz connected with Ludwik Waryński’s Great Proletariat, which had ties to the People’s Will, and eventually made his way to Warsaw. While he appeared to be a modest pharmacist, he was deeply entrenched in underground activities. During this period, he met Józef Piłsudski, only two years younger, who was also drawn to the revolutionary ideals of the People’s Will.
Wojnicz, along with his fellow conspirators affiliated with the Proletariat group, devised a plan to liberate comrades imprisoned in the Citadel’s 10th Pavilion. However, the plan faltered, leading to his capture by tsarist authorities. As he languished in his cell, he glimpsed a captivating young woman walking along the Vistula River—Ethel Lilian Boole, a woman of good lineage studying Slavic studies in Berlin and traversing Eastern Europe. Their eventual meeting blossomed into marriage, though the tsarist regime exiled him to the Irkutsk region in Siberia. Remarkably, Wojnicz managed to escape, journeying through Mongolia and China before reaching Hamburg and England. In England, he reconnected with Sergey Kravchinsky, also known as Stepnyak, a notable Russian revolutionary. It was in this vibrant environment that he encountered Ethel once more, who upon marrying him, took his surname and later gained fame as a writer, particularly known for her novel ‘The Hornet,’ which enjoyed immense popularity in the USSR.
The herbal section contains illustrations of plants. /https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki
Both Wojnicz and Ethel distanced themselves from their revolutionary pasts, as he transitioned into a successful antiquarian bookseller. In the photographs, Wojnicz embodies the essence of a book hunter, Dean Corso—portrayed by Johnny Depp in Roman Polanski’s film The Ninth Gate.
Michał Wojnicz among books in his antiquarian bookshop in Soho Square/ pl.wikipedia.org
Resourceful Antiquarian
Wojnicz’s success in the antiquarian book trade was largely attributed to his connection with Richard Garnett, who managed the book collection at the British Museum. His business model was straightforward: he travelled extensively to acquire rare incunabula, which he then sold in London. Throughout his career, he sold an impressive 3,800 such treasures to the British Museum. Much like Dean Corso, Wojnicz was not averse to utilizing cunning methods.
As Professor Jan Władysław Woś notes, Wojnicz possessed an extraordinary knack for assembling a network of skilled and enterprising associates. ‘They traversed Europe, scouring the attics and cellars of royal, cardinal, and bishop’s residences, as well as the homes of aristocrats and affluent bourgeoisie. Amongst the perceived detritus, they unearthed extraordinarily rare prints and manuscripts, often rescuing them from impending destruction.’ Wojnicz’s collaborators were undeterred by assurances that nothing of interest lay hidden; they dug deeper, often employing bribes and negotiations to secure valuable finds for one of Wojnicz’s antique shops. This resourcefulness likely led Wojnicz to the possession of the infamous manuscript, which remains undeciphered to this day.
Michał Wojnicz and Johnny Depp as Dean Corso in the film „The Ninth Gate” (PHOTO: Wikipedia, press materials)
Beyond his business acumen, Wojnicz’s life in London was also marked by fervent patriotic endeavours. He fostered a community of compatriots who would later significantly contribute to Poland’s cause. Notable figures such as August Zaleski (future president of the Polish government-in-exile), Tytus Filipowicz (future diplomat and Piłsudski supporter), and writer Kazimiera Iłłakowiczówna (personal secretary to Marshal Piłsudski) all found their place in his circle. He corresponded with prominent individuals such as Maria Czaplicka (suffragette and anthropologist), Aleksander Bolesław Brzostowski (former librarian of Józef Ignacy Kraszewski), writer Joseph Conrad, and the young Józef Retinger, who later became a key figure in the establishment of the Bilderberg Group and a proponent of a united Europe. Wojnicz’s life was further intertwined with that of Józef Piłsudski, who may have visited him during his time in London, alongside his brother Bronisław, a former exile and researcher of the Ainu people in Japan, which sparked speculation about a possible connection to the manuscript.
The manuscript changed hands several times throughout its history and now resides in Yale University’s collection. Fortunately for modern mystery-seekers, Wojnicz did not transfer it to any Polish institutions during his lifetime; sadly, the donations he made to the Public Library in Warsaw were lost when the Nazis burned the library during the war.
Efforts to decode the manuscript continue, with hopes that advancements in artificial intelligence or the serendipitous discovery of missing pages may one day unravel the Wojnicz enigma. As we continue to unravel the Wojnicz mystery, we remain hopeful that a solution will soon be within reach.
Adam Węgłowski
Writer, journalist, author of historical and crime books and board game designer. His most famous book is „Verne’s Labyrinth, or the Second Life of Captain Nemo”.
Source: DlaPolonii.pl
