The historical milieu in Toruń, built from scratch after the Second World War by people working at the Universities in Vilnius and Lvov before 1939, has always boasted eminent personages. One of these is Janusz Małłek, who, under the influence of his family, especially his father, Karol, an eminent activist and columnist from Masuria, and also of his history teacher from the pedagogical secondary school in Mrągowo, abandoned the idea of earning a living through literary activity and focused on developing his interest in history. Embarking on a degree in history at Nicolaus Copernicus University in 1955 determined the life and career of the future professor and the connection then established with the university in Toruń has lasted for over half a century.