The realities of life sometimes radically determine human activity. This is eloquently evidenced by the multifaceted creative activity and cross-border lifestyle of Marian Zdzekhovsky. Russian Russian citizen of Polish origin, historian and theorist of Russian literature, linguist, philosopher and publicist M.E.Zdzekhovsky devoted most of his life to the problem of mutual understanding and reconciliation of two fraternal peoples – Russian and Polish. This is confirmed by his own recognition, this is evidenced by the subject matter of his scientific work and journalistic articles published in Russian journals at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries, this was reflected in the professional orientation of his teaching activities, in organizational initiatives, one of which was the organization of the scientific intellectual community "Slavic Club" in Krakow, of which he was chairman for more than 10 years. The article, with the involvement of unpublished archival materials, outlines the features of the creative and life path of M. Zdzekhovsky in the light of his dual identity. The conclusion is made about the close relationship of a person's selfidentification with the problems of his work.