President's Showcase
Kieran Stenson he/him
Supervising Professor: Dr. Jonathan Grant
Kieran Stenson is a senior majoring in History with a minor in Russian & Eastern European Studies. His research interests lie in Eastern and Central Europe, specifically the history of Poland and Europe during the Enlightenment. Kieran has pursued these interests through a semester studying Polish and conducting research in Kraków, Poland. He is currently completing an Honors in the Major thesis, supported by his Tyler Center for Global Studies IDEA Grant, focusing on the rhetoric of the Polish Constitution of 1791, the second modern written constitution in the world.
Abstract
The 3 May 1791 Polish Constitution, the quintessential achievement of the Polish Enlightenment and Revolution, was the first modern written constitution in Europe until its overthrow following the Polish–Russian War of 1792. Drawing on various Polish, English, French, and American influences, the Constitution was a radical document in its time, with an emphasis on effective government and liberty. Often overlooked, the Constitution stands out not only for its reforms but also for its explicit rhetorical style, unusual in a legal document like a Constitution. Large portions of the Constitution are dedicated to justifying its provisions and vision for Polish society. In many ways, it resembles a political manifesto or journalistic piece, reflecting the ambitions and challenges of the Polish-Lithuanian state. Analysis of the Constitution reveals much about the Polish-Lithuanian state, the authors of the Constitution, and why certain ideas were implemented in the Constitution while others were not. Ultimately, the 1791 Constitution is a crucial document in the history of Poland and Enlightenment Europe, with continued relevance to the history of Poland, the Enlightenment and Europe at large.
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