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I'm not sure how the reader is supposed to interpret "pro-republican constitutional reform", while ... "advocated the strengthening of the king's position"
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==Biography==
==Biography==
Hugo Kołłątaj was born on April 1 1750 in [[Dederkały Wielkie]] in [[Volhyn]] to a minor family of [[Polish nobility]]; soon afterwards his family moved to [[Nieciesławice]] near [[Sandomierz]], where he spent his childhood.<ref name=min>{{pl icon}} M.J. Minakowski, [http://www.sejm-wielki.pl/b/10.655.132 Hugo Kołątaj ze Sztumbergu h. wł.], Wielka Genealogia Minakowskiego</ref><ref name=tucz>{{pl icon}} [http://www.tuczepy.pl/asp/pl_start.asp?typ=14&sub=5&menu=14&strona=1 Historia], Urząd Gminy w Tuczępach</ref><ref name="LERSKIEducation1996">{{cite book|author1=HALINA LERSKI|author2=Harcourt Education|title=Historical Dictionary of Poland, 966-1945|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=luRry4Y5NIYC&pg=PA259|accessdate=2 December 2011|date=1 January 1996|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-0-313-03456-5|pages=259–260}}</ref> He attended a school in [[Pińczów]].<ref name=nd>{{pl icon}} [http://www.naszdziennik.pl/index.php?typ=pp&dat=20090702&id=pp11.txt Związani z Ziemią Buską i Pińczowską], Nasz Dziennik, Czwartek, 2 lipca 2009, Nr 153 (3474)</ref> He begun his studies at the [[Jagiellonian University|Kraków Academy]] (the later [[Jagiellonian University]]).<ref name=WIEM/> Afterwards, around 1775 he took [[holy orders]],<ref name=kai>{{pl icon}} [http://dziedzictwo.ekai.pl/text.show?id=4557 Hugo Kołłątaj], Katolicka Agencja Informacyjna</ref> then spent time in [[Vienna]] and Italy ([[Naples]] and [[Rome]]), where he likely encountered [[Age of Enlightenment|Enlightenment]] [[philosophy]].<ref name="LERSKIEducation1996"/><ref name=WIEM/><ref name=aj>{{pl icon}}Halina Zwolska, [http://www3.uj.edu.pl/alma/04/64.html TOWARZYSZE SZKOŁY GŁÓWNEJ KORONNEJ], Alma Mater, wiosna 1997, nr 4</ref> He likely had doctorates from philosophy, law and [[theology]].<ref name=kai/>
Hugo Kołłątaj was born on April 1 1750 in [[Dederkały Wielkie]] in [[Volhynia]] to a minor family of [[Polish nobility]]; soon afterwards his family moved to [[Nieciesławice]] near [[Sandomierz]], where he spent his childhood.<ref name=min>{{pl icon}} M.J. Minakowski, [http://www.sejm-wielki.pl/b/10.655.132 Hugo Kołątaj ze Sztumbergu h. wł.], Wielka Genealogia Minakowskiego</ref><ref name=tucz>{{pl icon}} [http://www.tuczepy.pl/asp/pl_start.asp?typ=14&sub=5&menu=14&strona=1 Historia], Urząd Gminy w Tuczępach</ref><ref name="LERSKIEducation1996">{{cite book|author1=HALINA LERSKI|author2=Harcourt Education|title=Historical Dictionary of Poland, 966-1945|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=luRry4Y5NIYC&pg=PA259|accessdate=2 December 2011|date=1 January 1996|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-0-313-03456-5|pages=259–260}}</ref> He attended a school in [[Pińczów]].<ref name=nd>{{pl icon}} [http://www.naszdziennik.pl/index.php?typ=pp&dat=20090702&id=pp11.txt Związani z Ziemią Buską i Pińczowską], Nasz Dziennik, Czwartek, 2 lipca 2009, Nr 153 (3474)</ref> He begun his studies at the [[Jagiellonian University|Kraków Academy]] (the later [[Jagiellonian University]]).<ref name=WIEM/> Afterwards, around 1775 he took [[holy orders]],<ref name=kai>{{pl icon}} [http://dziedzictwo.ekai.pl/text.show?id=4557 Hugo Kołłątaj], Katolicka Agencja Informacyjna</ref> then spent time in [[Vienna]] and Italy ([[Naples]] and [[Rome]]), where he likely encountered [[Age of Enlightenment|Enlightenment]] [[philosophy]].<ref name="LERSKIEducation1996"/><ref name=WIEM/><ref name=aj>{{pl icon}}Halina Zwolska, [http://www3.uj.edu.pl/alma/04/64.html TOWARZYSZE SZKOŁY GŁÓWNEJ KORONNEJ], Alma Mater, wiosna 1997, nr 4</ref> He likely had doctorates from philosophy, law and [[theology]].<ref name=kai/>


Returning to Poland, he became a [[Canon (priest)|canon priest]] in [[Kraków]],<ref name=aj/> and a [[parish]] priest at [[Krzyżanowice Dolne]] and [[Tuczępy]].<ref name=nd/><ref name=tucz/> He was active in the [[Commission for National Education]] and the [[Society for Elementary Textbooks]], where he was prominent in developing plans to expand the national network of schools.<ref name=WIEM/><ref name="LERSKIEducation1996"/><ref name="Jędruch1982-194"/> He spent two years in Warsaw, but returned to Kraków, where he reformed the Kraków Academy, of which board he sat from 1777, and of which he became a [[rector]] in 1783-1786.<ref name=aj/><ref name="Jędruch1982-194">{{cite book|author=Jacek Jędruch|title=Constitutions, elections, and legislatures of Poland, 1493-1977: a guide to their history|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=Jl6OAAAAMAAJ|accessdate=13 August 2011|date=November 1982|publisher=University Press of America|pages=194}}</ref><ref name=WIEM>{{pl icon}} [http://portalwiedzy.onet.pl/37510,,,,kollataj_hugo,haslo.html Kołłątaj Hugo], [[WIEM Encyklopedia]]</ref><ref name=kai/>
Returning to Poland, he became a [[Canon (priest)|canon priest]] in [[Kraków]],<ref name=aj/> and a [[parish]] priest at [[Krzyżanowice Dolne]] and [[Tuczępy]].<ref name=nd/><ref name=tucz/> He was active in the [[Commission of National Education]] and the [[Society for Elementary Books]], where he was prominent in developing plans to expand the national network of schools.<ref name=WIEM/><ref name="LERSKIEducation1996"/><ref name="Jędruch1982-194"/> He spent two years in Warsaw, but returned to Kraków, where he reformed the Kraków Academy, of which board he sat from 1777, and of which he was a [[rector]] in 1783-1786.<ref name=aj/><ref name="Jędruch1982-194">{{cite book|author=Jacek Jędruch|title=Constitutions, elections, and legislatures of Poland, 1493-1977: a guide to their history|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=Jl6OAAAAMAAJ|accessdate=13 August 2011|date=November 1982|publisher=University Press of America|pages=194}}</ref><ref name=WIEM>{{pl icon}} [http://portalwiedzy.onet.pl/37510,,,,kollataj_hugo,haslo.html Kołłątaj Hugo], [[WIEM Encyklopedia]]</ref><ref name=kai/>


Kołłątaj was equally active politically. In 1786 he received the office of the [[Referendary]] of Lithuania, and moved to Warsaw.<ref name=WIEM/><ref name="LERSKIEducation1996"/> He became prominent in the [[reform movement]], heading an informal group that was the left, radical wing of the [[Patriotic Party]], and labelled by their political enemies the "[[Kołłątaj's Forge]]".<ref name="LERSKIEducation1996"/><ref name="Jędruch1982-194"/><ref name=WIEM/><ref name=kai/> A leader of the [[Patriotic Party]] during the [[Great Sejm]], he set out its program in ''Several Anonymous Letters to Stanisław Małachowski'' (1788–1789) and in ''The Political Law of the Polish Nation'' (1790).<ref name=WIEM/><ref name="LERSKIEducation1996"/> In his works he advocated a pro-republican constitutional reform and the need for social reforms.<ref name="Jędruch1982-194"/><ref name=WIEM/> In particular, he advocated the strengthening of the king's position, increase of the national army, abolishing of the [[liberum veto]], introduction of the universal taxation, and emancipation of both the townspeople and of the peasantry.<ref name="LERSKIEducation1996"/> An organizer of the townspeople's movement, he edited a memorial with reform demands which was delivered to the king during the [[Black Procession]] of 1789.<ref name=WIEM/><ref name="LERSKIEducation1996"/>
Kołłątaj was equally active politically. In 1786 he received the office of the [[Referendary]] of [[Grand Duchy of Lithuania|Lithuania]], and moved to Warsaw.<ref name=WIEM/><ref name="LERSKIEducation1996"/> He became prominent in the [[reform movement]], heading an informal group that was the left, radical wing of the [[Patriotic Party]], and labelled by their political enemies the "[[Kołłątaj's Forge]]".<ref name="LERSKIEducation1996"/><ref name="Jędruch1982-194"/><ref name=WIEM/><ref name=kai/> A leader of the Patriotic Party during the [[Great Sejm]], he set out its program in ''Several Anonymous Letters to Stanisław Małachowski'' (1788–1789) and in ''The Political Law of the Polish Nation'' (1790).<ref name=WIEM/><ref name="LERSKIEducation1996"/> In his works he advocated a pro-republican constitutional reform and the need for social reforms.<ref name="Jędruch1982-194"/><ref name=WIEM/> In particular, he advocated the strengthening of the king's position, larger national army, abolishing the [[liberum veto]], introduction of universal taxation, and emancipation of both the townspeople and the peasantry.<ref name="LERSKIEducation1996"/> An organizer of the townspeople's movement, he edited a memorial with reform demands which was delivered to the [[Stanisław August Poniatowski|king]] during the [[Black Procession]] of 1789.<ref name=WIEM/><ref name="LERSKIEducation1996"/>


Kołłątaj co-authored the [[Constitution of May 3, 1791]].<ref name="Jędruch1982-194"/> He also founded the [[Assembly of Friends of the Government Constitution]] to assist in the document's implementation.<ref name=WIEM/> In 1786 he received the [[Order of Saint Stanislaus]] and in 1791, the [[Order of the White Eagle (Poland)|Order of the White Eagle]].<ref name=min/> In 1791-92 he served as [[Crown Vice Chancellor]] (Podkanclerzy Koronny).<ref name="Jędruch1982-194"/><ref name=WIEM/>
Kołłątaj co-authored the [[Constitution of May 3, 1791]].<ref name="Jędruch1982-194"/> He also founded the [[Assembly of Friends of the Government Constitution]] to assist in the document's implementation.<ref name=WIEM/> In 1786 he received the [[Order of Saint Stanislaus]] and in 1791, the [[Order of the White Eagle (Poland)|Order of the White Eagle]].<ref name=min/> In 1791-92 he served as [[Crown Vice Chancellor]] (Podkanclerzy Koronny).<ref name="Jędruch1982-194"/><ref name=WIEM/>

Revision as of 00:10, 3 December 2011

Hugo Kołłątaj
Coat of armsKotwica
Born(1750-04-01)April 1, 1750
Dederkały Wielkie
DiedFebruary 24, 1812(1812-02-24) (aged 61)
Warsaw, Poland
BuriedPowązki Cemetery
Noble familyKołłątaj
Spouse(s)none
Issuenone
FatherAntoni Kołłątaj
MotherMarianna Mierzeńska

Hugo Kołłątaj (April 1, 1750 – February 24, 1812) was a Polish Roman Catholic priest, social and political activist, political thinker, historian and philosopher. He is seen as one of the most prominent figures of the Enlightenment in Poland.[1]

Biography

Hugo Kołłątaj was born on April 1 1750 in Dederkały Wielkie in Volhynia to a minor family of Polish nobility; soon afterwards his family moved to Nieciesławice near Sandomierz, where he spent his childhood.[2][3][4] He attended a school in Pińczów.[5] He begun his studies at the Kraków Academy (the later Jagiellonian University).[1] Afterwards, around 1775 he took holy orders,[6] then spent time in Vienna and Italy (Naples and Rome), where he likely encountered Enlightenment philosophy.[4][1][7] He likely had doctorates from philosophy, law and theology.[6]

Returning to Poland, he became a canon priest in Kraków,[7] and a parish priest at Krzyżanowice Dolne and Tuczępy.[5][3] He was active in the Commission of National Education and the Society for Elementary Books, where he was prominent in developing plans to expand the national network of schools.[1][4][8] He spent two years in Warsaw, but returned to Kraków, where he reformed the Kraków Academy, of which board he sat from 1777, and of which he was a rector in 1783-1786.[7][8][1][6]

Kołłątaj was equally active politically. In 1786 he received the office of the Referendary of Lithuania, and moved to Warsaw.[1][4] He became prominent in the reform movement, heading an informal group that was the left, radical wing of the Patriotic Party, and labelled by their political enemies the "Kołłątaj's Forge".[4][8][1][6] A leader of the Patriotic Party during the Great Sejm, he set out its program in Several Anonymous Letters to Stanisław Małachowski (1788–1789) and in The Political Law of the Polish Nation (1790).[1][4] In his works he advocated a pro-republican constitutional reform and the need for social reforms.[8][1] In particular, he advocated the strengthening of the king's position, larger national army, abolishing the liberum veto, introduction of universal taxation, and emancipation of both the townspeople and the peasantry.[4] An organizer of the townspeople's movement, he edited a memorial with reform demands which was delivered to the king during the Black Procession of 1789.[1][4]

Kołłątaj co-authored the Constitution of May 3, 1791.[8] He also founded the Assembly of Friends of the Government Constitution to assist in the document's implementation.[1] In 1786 he received the Order of Saint Stanislaus and in 1791, the Order of the White Eagle.[2] In 1791-92 he served as Crown Vice Chancellor (Podkanclerzy Koronny).[8][1]

During the Polish-Russian war that broke out over the May 3rd Constitution (the War in Defense of the Constitution), Kołłątaj, along with other royal advisers, persuaded King Stanisław August, himself a co-author of the Constitution, to seek a compromise with the opponents and to join the Targowica Confederation that had been formed to bring it down.[8] In 1792, upon the Confederates' victory, Kołłątaj emigrated to Leipzig and Dresden in Saxony, where he co-authored a work with Ignacy Potocki, On the Adoption and Fall of the Polish May 3 Constitution (1793).[1][4]

In exile, his political views radicalized and he became involved with the preparations for an insurrection.[1] In 1794 he took part in the Kościuszko Uprising, co-authoring its Uprising Act (March 24, 1794) and Połaniec Manifesto (May 7, 1794), heading the Supreme National Council's Treasury Department, and backing the Uprising's left wing of Polish Jacobins.[1][4] After the suppression of the Uprising in the same year, Kołłątaj was imprisoned by the Austrians until 1802.[8] In 1805, with Tadeusz Czacki, he organized the Krzemieniec Lyceum in Wołyń (Volhynia).[1][4] In 1807, after the creation of the Duchy of Warsaw, he was at first invovled in its government,[6] but soon excluded from it through the intrigues of his political opponents, and soon afterwards, interned and imprisoned by Russian authorities until 1808.[1][4] When he was released, he found himself barred from public offices; despite that he sought to present a program for rebuilding and developing Poland (Remarks on the Present Position of That Part of the Polish Lands that, since the Treaty of Tilsit, Have Come to Be Called the Duchy of Warsaw, 1809).[1] In 1809 he became a member of the Warsaw Society of Friends of Learning. In the years 1809-1810 he became once again involved with the Kraków Academy, reforming it from its temporarily Germanized form.[8][7]

Borrowing the physiocratic idea of a "physico-moral order", in The Physico-Moral Order (1811) Kołłątaj created a socio-ethical system emphasizing equality amongst people.[9] Interested in natural sciences, in particular, geology and mineralogy,[10], he wrote the A Critical Analysis of Historical Principles regarding the Origins of Humankind, published posthumously in 1842. In this work he essayed the first Polish presentation of concepts of social evolution and of geological concepts. This work is also seen as an important contribution to the cultural anthropology.[9] In The State of Education in Poland in the Final Years of the Reign of Augustus III, published posthumously in 1841, he argued against the Jesuit domination in the field of education and presented a study of the history of education.[9]

He died on 24 February 1812,[6] "forgotten and abandoned" by his contemporaries.[1] He was buried at the Powązki Cemetery.[6]

Remembrance

Kołłątaj's monument in Jordan Park in Kraków

Despite his lonely death, Kołłątaj became a patron of many reformers in decades to come, and is now seen as one of the key figures of the Enlightenment in Poland, and "one of the greatest minds of his epoch".[1][4] He is one of the characters immortalized in Jan Matejko's 1891 painting, Constitution of May 3, 1791.

He is the patron of several schools as well as of the Agricultural University of Cracow.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Template:Pl icon Kołłątaj Hugo, WIEM Encyklopedia
  2. ^ a b Template:Pl icon M.J. Minakowski, Hugo Kołątaj ze Sztumbergu h. wł., Wielka Genealogia Minakowskiego
  3. ^ a b Template:Pl icon Historia, Urząd Gminy w Tuczępach
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m HALINA LERSKI; Harcourt Education (1 January 1996). Historical Dictionary of Poland, 966-1945. ABC-CLIO. pp. 259–260. ISBN 978-0-313-03456-5. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  5. ^ a b Template:Pl icon Związani z Ziemią Buską i Pińczowską, Nasz Dziennik, Czwartek, 2 lipca 2009, Nr 153 (3474)
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Template:Pl icon Hugo Kołłątaj, Katolicka Agencja Informacyjna
  7. ^ a b c d Template:Pl iconHalina Zwolska, TOWARZYSZE SZKOŁY GŁÓWNEJ KORONNEJ, Alma Mater, wiosna 1997, nr 4
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i Jacek Jędruch (November 1982). Constitutions, elections, and legislatures of Poland, 1493-1977: a guide to their history. University Press of America. p. 194. Retrieved 13 August 2011.
  9. ^ a b c Template:Pl icon Kołłątaj Hugo (1750-1812), Encyklopedia Interia
  10. ^ Stanley S. Sokol; Sharon F. Mrotek Kissane; Alfred L. Abramowicz (1992). The Polish biographical dictionary: profiles of nearly 900 Poles who have made lasting contributions to world civilization. Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers. p. 194. ISBN 978-0-86516-245-7. Retrieved 2 December 2011.

Further reading

  • Władysław Tatarkiewicz, Historia filozofii (History of Philosophy), 3 vols., Warsaw, Państwowe Wydawnictwo Naukowe, 1978.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hugo Kołłątaj.

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