Abstract

William J. Tonesk was born to a family of Polish immigrants who came from Russian and Austrian partitions of Poland. Born Władysław Jan Toniecki in Schenectady, New York, he can be traced in historical records using several last names: Tonski, Toniski, Tonick. While using his passion for Polish literature and theater as an advantage throughout his high school and college years, he invariably presented himself as an American. He settled for William J. Tonesk in 1932 as he entered Columbia University in New York. This article explores the opportunities available to the young man from Schenectady who skillfully navigated the ethnic advantage and native opportunity to spur his professional career. It also examines the support from Polish American organizations that was instrumental in keeping him intellectually and professionally engaged in the 1930s. Repeatedly, he multiplied the effects of the opportunities available to him, thus establishing a sound prequel to his professional career in the US intelligence establishment and diplomacy.

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