Boleslaw Wieniawa-Dlugoszowski
Encyclopedia
Bolesław Ignacy Florian Wieniawa-Długoszowski (July 22, 1881 – July 1, 1942) was a Polish general, politician, poet and diplomat, as well as formally President of the Republic of Poland
for one day.
.
Bolesław Wieniawa-Długoszowski was born on 22 July 1881, in his family's estates in Maksymówka (near Stanisławów
– nowadays Ivano-Frankivsk). He was a son of a Polish Nobleman Bolesław Długoszowski and Josephine Struszkiewicz.
In 1877 his family had moved to palace in another family's estates in Bobowa. There Bolesław had spent his early life. He was learning in gymnasium in Lwów, where he was one of the best students. After several years he moved to school in Nowy Sącz
. There, in 1900, he passed his graduation exams. After school he studied medicine at Jan Kazimierz University in Lwów, gaining a special diploma with high distinction.
After studies he moved to Berlin
where he spent a year studying in the very prestigious Berlin Academy of Arts. After school he moved to Paris
, where he worked as a private doctor (one of the best in the city). In 1911 he was one of the founders of The Union of Polish Artists (Towarzystwo Artystów Polskich). He also joined Riflemen's Association (Związek Strzelecki "Strzelec"). There he met Józef Piłsudski.
and joined the First Cadre Company
which fought on the Austro-Hungarian side against Russia
. In October 1914 he became a commander of a platoon of a squadron in 1 Pułk Ułanów Legionów Polskich. During the fighting in 1914–1915 he was promoted to lieutenant, and after the war he was awarded the V-Class Virtuti Militari
. In August 1915 he moved to the special group in Warsaw. Soon he became an aide-de-camp of Józef Piłsudski. In 1918, while on a mission to Russia, he was arrested by the Soviet Cheka
as a member of the Polish Military Organisation
. He was freed after several months.
As aide-de-camp of Józef Piłsudski during the Polish-Soviet War
he helped Marshall with organising the Vilna Operation and Battle of Warsaw
. He was also a commander of 1st Cavalry Division. After the war Wieniawa was awarded many medals (such as Légion d'honneur
, Cross of Valor and Cross of Independence
).
In November 1921 he became Polish Military attaché in Bucharest
, Romania
. He was associated with making the Polish-Romanian convention which was signed in 1922.
In 1926 he passed his exams in High War School, and soon he became a commander of 1 Pułk Szwoleżerów Józefa Piłsudskiego – the most prestigious and representative Polish cavalry division. He commanded it until 1930.
During the May Coup he was one of Piłsudski's officers. He gave him much help with organising the coup.
From 1930–1932 he was commander of I Cavalry division and for some time II Cavalry Division. In 1931 he was promoted by the President Ignacy Mościcki
to the rank of Brigadier General. In 1932 he became a commander of II Cavalry Division and performed his duties until 14 May 1938. In 1938 he was promoted to the General-major. From 1938 to 13 June 1940, he was Polish Ambassador in Rome
.
to perform his new role but was blackballed by Władysław Sikorski, the French Third Republic
and the United Kingdom
. After the capitulation of France he emigrated to Lisbon
but soon he moved to New York
.
Many sources do not list Wieniawa as President, merely "designated successor". However, according to the then constitution
, when the President can not execute his powers (as Mościcki was interned in Romania
and this was clear that he would not be released unless resigned), the designated successor automatically became President.
After receiving appointment or becoming President, Wieniawa asked Cardinal August Hlond to become Prime Minister. Hlond refused, referring, noteworthy fact, to Wieniawa as, "Mr. President".
Also in a press statement from President Lech Wałęsa
's press secretary on September 21, 1994, to Dziennik Polski Wieniawa-Dłogoszowski was referred to as one of the legitimate Presidents in Exile.
According to some opinions Mościcki intended to pass his office to Wieniawa-Dłogoszowski as a caretaker, until a candidate accepted by both Sanacja
and opposition circles, General Kazimierz Sosnkowski
, whose whereabout was unknown in September 1939. Finally compromise candidate Władysław Raczkiewicz was chosen after Wieniawa resignation.
, but after moving to Washington he died by his own hand. The exact details of his death are subject to debate among historians.
In 1936, he was awarded the Golden Laurel of the Polish Academy of Literature Academic merit for literature.
President of the Republic of Poland
The President of the Republic of Poland is the Polish head of state. His or her rights and obligations are determined in the Constitution of Poland....
for one day.
Before World War I
Bolesław Wieniawa-Długoszowski was born on 22 July 1881, in his family's estates in Maksymówka (near Stanisławów
Ivano-Frankivsk
Ivano-Frankivsk is a historic city located in the western Ukraine. It is the administrative centre of the Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast , and is designated as its own separate raion within the oblast, municipality....
– nowadays Ivano-Frankivsk). He was a son of a Polish Nobleman Bolesław Długoszowski and Josephine Struszkiewicz.
In 1877 his family had moved to palace in another family's estates in Bobowa. There Bolesław had spent his early life. He was learning in gymnasium in Lwów, where he was one of the best students. After several years he moved to school in Nowy Sącz
Nowy Sacz
Nowy Sącz is a town in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship in southern Poland. It is the district capital of Nowy Sącz County, but is not included within the powiat.-Names:...
. There, in 1900, he passed his graduation exams. After school he studied medicine at Jan Kazimierz University in Lwów, gaining a special diploma with high distinction.
After studies he moved to Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
where he spent a year studying in the very prestigious Berlin Academy of Arts. After school he moved to Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, where he worked as a private doctor (one of the best in the city). In 1911 he was one of the founders of The Union of Polish Artists (Towarzystwo Artystów Polskich). He also joined Riflemen's Association (Związek Strzelecki "Strzelec"). There he met Józef Piłsudski.
1914–1942
In 1914 he moved to KrakówKraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
and joined the First Cadre Company
First Cadre Company
First Cadre Company was a military formation created by Józef Piłsudski at the outbreak of World War I, on August 3, 1914 in Kraków, from members of the Riflemen's Association and the Polish Rifle Squads. The company numbered 144 soldiers under command of Tadeusz Kasprzycki. The formation...
which fought on the Austro-Hungarian side against Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. In October 1914 he became a commander of a platoon of a squadron in 1 Pułk Ułanów Legionów Polskich. During the fighting in 1914–1915 he was promoted to lieutenant, and after the war he was awarded the V-Class Virtuti Militari
Virtuti Militari
The Order Wojenny Virtuti Militari is Poland's highest military decoration for heroism and courage in the face of the enemy at war...
. In August 1915 he moved to the special group in Warsaw. Soon he became an aide-de-camp of Józef Piłsudski. In 1918, while on a mission to Russia, he was arrested by the Soviet Cheka
Cheka
Cheka was the first of a succession of Soviet state security organizations. It was created by a decree issued on December 20, 1917, by Vladimir Lenin and subsequently led by aristocrat-turned-communist Felix Dzerzhinsky...
as a member of the Polish Military Organisation
Polish Military Organisation
Polish Military Organisation, PMO was a secret military organization created by Józef Piłsudski in August 1914, and officially named in November 1914, during World War I. Its tasks were to gather intelligence and sabotage the enemies of the Polish people...
. He was freed after several months.
As aide-de-camp of Józef Piłsudski during the Polish-Soviet War
Polish-Soviet War
The Polish–Soviet War was an armed conflict between Soviet Russia and Soviet Ukraine and the Second Polish Republic and the Ukrainian People's Republic—four states in post–World War I Europe...
he helped Marshall with organising the Vilna Operation and Battle of Warsaw
Battle of Warsaw
Battle of Warsaw can refer to:* Siege of Warsaw , Warsaw retaken by Poles from Swedes on June 30, 1656, during The Deluge* Battle of Warsaw , battle outside the city on July 18-July 20, 1656, during The Deluge, following which Warsaw is captured by Swedes for the second time* Battle of Warsaw ,...
. He was also a commander of 1st Cavalry Division. After the war Wieniawa was awarded many medals (such as Légion d'honneur
Légion d'honneur
The Legion of Honour, or in full the National Order of the Legion of Honour is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the Consulat which succeeded to the First Republic, on 19 May 1802...
, Cross of Valor and Cross of Independence
Cross of Independence
Cross of Independence was one of the highest Polish military decorations between World Wars I and II. It was awarded to individuals who had "fought heroically for the independence of Poland," and was released in three versions.- History :...
).
In November 1921 he became Polish Military attaché in Bucharest
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital municipality, cultural, industrial, and financial centre of Romania. It is the largest city in Romania, located in the southeast of the country, at , and lies on the banks of the Dâmbovița River....
, Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
. He was associated with making the Polish-Romanian convention which was signed in 1922.
In 1926 he passed his exams in High War School, and soon he became a commander of 1 Pułk Szwoleżerów Józefa Piłsudskiego – the most prestigious and representative Polish cavalry division. He commanded it until 1930.
During the May Coup he was one of Piłsudski's officers. He gave him much help with organising the coup.
From 1930–1932 he was commander of I Cavalry division and for some time II Cavalry Division. In 1931 he was promoted by the President Ignacy Mościcki
Ignacy Moscicki
Ignacy Mościcki was a Polish chemist, politician, and President of Poland . He was the longest-serving President of Poland .-Life:...
to the rank of Brigadier General. In 1932 he became a commander of II Cavalry Division and performed his duties until 14 May 1938. In 1938 he was promoted to the General-major. From 1938 to 13 June 1940, he was Polish Ambassador in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
.
One-day Presidency
On 17 September 1939, he was nominated president of Poland by retiring President Ignacy Mościcki. Shortly after being nominated, Poland was invaded and he went to ParisParis
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
to perform his new role but was blackballed by Władysław Sikorski, the French Third Republic
French Third Republic
The French Third Republic was the republican government of France from 1870, when the Second French Empire collapsed due to the French defeat in the Franco-Prussian War, to 1940, when France was overrun by Nazi Germany during World War II, resulting in the German and Italian occupations of France...
and the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. After the capitulation of France he emigrated to Lisbon
Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban...
but soon he moved to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
Many sources do not list Wieniawa as President, merely "designated successor". However, according to the then constitution
Polish Constitution of 1935
The April Constitution of Poland was the general law passed by the act of the Polish Sejm on 23 April 1935. It introduced in Poland a presidential system with certain elements of authoritarianism....
, when the President can not execute his powers (as Mościcki was interned in Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
and this was clear that he would not be released unless resigned), the designated successor automatically became President.
After receiving appointment or becoming President, Wieniawa asked Cardinal August Hlond to become Prime Minister. Hlond refused, referring, noteworthy fact, to Wieniawa as, "Mr. President".
Also in a press statement from President Lech Wałęsa
Lech Wałęsa
Lech Wałęsa is a Polish politician, trade-union organizer, and human-rights activist. A charismatic leader, he co-founded Solidarity , the Soviet bloc's first independent trade union, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983, and served as President of Poland between 1990 and 95.Wałęsa was an electrician...
's press secretary on September 21, 1994, to Dziennik Polski Wieniawa-Dłogoszowski was referred to as one of the legitimate Presidents in Exile.
According to some opinions Mościcki intended to pass his office to Wieniawa-Dłogoszowski as a caretaker, until a candidate accepted by both Sanacja
Sanacja
Sanation was a Polish political movement that came to power after Józef Piłsudski's May 1926 Coup d'État. Sanation took its name from his watchword—the moral "sanation" of the Polish body politic...
and opposition circles, General Kazimierz Sosnkowski
Kazimierz Sosnkowski
Kazimierz Sosnkowski was a Polish independence fighter, politician and Polish Army general.-Life:Sosnkowski served successively as founder and first commander of Związek Walki Czynnej , chief of staff of the 1st Brigade of the Polish Legions, Polish minister of military affairs, vice-president of...
, whose whereabout was unknown in September 1939. Finally compromise candidate Władysław Raczkiewicz was chosen after Wieniawa resignation.
Death
Wieniawa became Polish Ambassador in HavanaHavana
Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous...
, but after moving to Washington he died by his own hand. The exact details of his death are subject to debate among historians.
Honours and awards
Polish
- Order of the White Eagle
- Order of St. StanislausOrder of Saint StanislausThe Order of Saint Stanislaus , also spelled Stanislas, was an Order in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and The Kingdom of Poland between 1765 and 1831 and of Russian Empire from 1831 to 1917.-History of the Order of Saint Stanislaus:Stanisław August Poniatowski, King of Poland, established the...
- Silver Cross of the Virtuti MilitariVirtuti MilitariThe Order Wojenny Virtuti Militari is Poland's highest military decoration for heroism and courage in the face of the enemy at war...
- Cross of Valour
- Cross of Independence with SwordsCross of IndependenceCross of Independence was one of the highest Polish military decorations between World Wars I and II. It was awarded to individuals who had "fought heroically for the independence of Poland," and was released in three versions.- History :...
In 1936, he was awarded the Golden Laurel of the Polish Academy of Literature Academic merit for literature.
Foreign
- Imperial Order of LeopoldOrder of Leopold (Austria)The Imperial Austrian Order of Leopold was founded by Franz I of Austria on 8 January 1808. The order's statutes stipulated only three grades: Grand Cross, Commander and Knight. During the war, in common with the other Austro-Hungarian decorations Crossed Swords were instituted to reward bravery in...
(Austria) - Military Order of Max JosephMilitary Order of Max JosephThe Military Order of Max Joseph was the highest purely military order of the Kingdom of Bavaria. It was founded on 1 January 1806 by Maximilian I Joseph of Bavaria, the first king of Bavaria...
(Bavaria) - Chevalier of the Legion of Honour (France)
- Military Order of Maria TheresaMilitary Order of Maria TheresaThe Military Order of Maria Theresa was an Order of the Austro-Hungarian Empire founded on June 18, 1757, the day of the Battle of Kolin, by the Empress...
(Austro-Hungarian Empire) - Order of Saints Cyril and MethodiusOrder of Saints Cyril and MethodiusThe Order of Saints Cyril and Methodius is an award conferred by the Republic of Bulgaria. It has three incarnations; first on 18 May 1909 by the Kingdom of Bulgaria, second on 13 December 1950 by the People's Republic of Bulgaria and finally by the current republic on 29 May 2003....
(Bulgaria) - Croix de guerre 1914–1918 (France)
- Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem (Holy See)