Born on 16th February 1932 in Łomża.

In 1955, graduated in history from the Faculty of Humanities at the Catholic University of Lublin. 1961 - obtained the doctoral degree and, in 1969 - degree of doctor habilitated from Warsaw University. 1977 - obtained the title of assistant professor and, in 1985 - title of full professor. 1969-2002 - chairman of the First Department of Modern History at Catholic University of Lublin. 1970-1975 - vice dean, 1981-1987 - dean of the Faculty of Humanities of the Catholic University of Lublin. Between 1997 and 2002, lectured at "Melchior Wańkowicz" Warsaw School of Journalism. 2002-2005 - chairman of the History Department at the Pedagogical University of the Universal Education Society in Warsaw.

Fulbright Foundation Award recipient. Was member of editorial boards of several periodicals. Author of numerous publications focusing on the circumstances of the January Uprising in 1863/1864 and history of popular Catholicism in 19th and 20th century Poland.

1993-1994 - member of the National Broadcasting Council (1994 - Council chairman). Since 1994, collaborates with Radio Maryja.

Former and present member of numerous commissions including the Rural History Research Coordination Commission, Commission for the History of International Relations of the Scientific Committee of the Polish Academy of Sciences and Iustitia et Pax Polish Episcopate Commission (1989-1997). Was member of the Scientific Council of Ośrodek Dokumentacji i Studiów Społecznych (Centre for Documentation and Social Studies) in Warsaw (1982-1985 - deputy chairman; 1986-1996 - chairman).

1990-1991 - member of Lech Wałęsa's Consultative Committee then Civic Committee. Was member of the leadership of numerous social, scientific and political societies, associations and groups. Since 1961 - member of the Scientific Society of the Catholic University of Lublin (1974-1977 - secretary genaral); since 1976 - member of the Catholic Intelligentsia Club in Lublin (1976-1978 - deputy chairman, since 1983 - chairman); since 1975 - member of Lublin Scientific Society (1987-1999 - deputy chairman).

1989-1990 - member of Stronnictwo Pracy (Labour Alliance Party) and deputy chairman of its executive committee. 1990-1991 - member of Chrześcijańsko-Demokratyczne Stronnictwo "Zjednoczenie" (a Christian-Democratic political party) and deputy chairman of its interim main board. 1991-1993 - member of Zjednoczenie Chrześcijańsko-Narodowe (Christian-National Alliance), then Ruch Odbudowy Polski (Movement for the Reconstruction of Poland). 1998-2002 - chairman of the main council of Ruch Katolicko-Narodowy (Catholic-National Movement).

1973-1977 - member of Lublin City Council. Participated in "Round Table" negotiations on the side of the democratic opposition. In 1998, was elected deputy to Lublin Provincial Parliament (in 2002 and in 2005 - chairman).

In the Seventh and Ninth Term Sejm was member of the Culture and Art Committee, Science and Technological Development Committee, Foreign Affairs Committee, and National Education and Youth Committee.

In the Second Term Senate, was member of the Constitutional Committee and Foreign Affairs Committee. Chaired the senatorial club of the Christian-National Alliance (1991-1993) and was deputy chairman of the parliamentary club of that party. 1992-1993 - was a delegate to the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly and (among others) held the post of deputy chairman of the European Democratic Group.

Founding member of the League of Polish Families.

Married, has three children.