Leszek Kołakowski (1927-2009) - philosopher, professor of Warsaw University and the Polish Academy of Science (PAN). He emigrated from Poland in 1968, at the same time starting to lecture at many of the world's most prestigious centres of scholarship. His work was devoted to the problems of civilisation and also modern culture, and the philosophy of the 17th century. He is the author of many books and papers on philosophy, for example 'Światopogląd i życie codzienne' (Worldview and Everyday Life, 1957), 'Kultura i fetysze' (Culture and Fetishes, 1967), 'Cywilizacja na ławie oskarżonych' (Civilisation in the dock, 1990), 'Moje słuszne poglądy na wszystko' (My Correct Views on Everything, 1999). He is also the author of books that take a humorous approach to moral philosophy, including '13 bajek z królestwa Lailonii dla dużych i małych' (Thirteen Fairy Tales from the Kingdom of Lailonia for Big and Small, 1963), 'Rozmowy z diabłem (Conversations with the Devil, 1965), 'Czy diabeł może być zbawiony?'(Can the Devil Be Saved?, 1982). He was granted the prestigious Dutch Erasmus Prize in 1983, and the Order of the White Eagle in 1997.
